The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons finally turned the tide of their 0-2 slump in UAAP Season 88 with a victory against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 92-75, on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The UP Men’s Basketball Team’s (MBT) first breakthrough into the win column showed the team’s improved team play after back-to-back losses, their worst start since 2016.
“It’s understanding that we need each other, ‘no? Para to achieve something big. And I felt like today, we moved the ball better. So, we’ll just continue growing,” head coach Goldwin Monteverde said.
State U had a slow start but recovered with an 18-3 run, including three trifectas from Rey Remogat, to end the opening quarter with a seven-point advantage, 27-20.
The first half ended with the Diliman-based squad gaining a 17-point cushion at 53-36.
Powering the Maroon offense and redeeming himself with consecutive buckets, Remogat stood out with 21 markers, including six treys. He also had 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.
“Wala namang gigil kasi, ‘yon nga, galing kami sa dalawang beses na pagkatalo. So, ‘yong gigil kasi, may puwedeng mangyari pangit o maganda. So, siguro mas nag-focus ako sa dapat kong gawin as point guard,” Remogat said.
The new Maroon point guard debuted with a combined five points, four assists and two rebounds during his first two games as a Maroon.
Alongside him, fellow former Red Warrior Gani Stevens and foreign student-athlete Francis Nnoruka both contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds, securing the game’s victory.
“We’re getting our group back and we’re playing together more as a team. And, we’re trusting the process like our coach always said,” Nnoruka said.
Monteverde added the win made them realize the significance of playing together and learning from mistakes to improve decision-making in the team.
The Fighting Maroons led by up to 28 points in the final frame, 85-57, before the red shirts’ 8-0 run trimmed the lead to 20. State U also dominated rebounds and assists, grabbing 55 boards and dishing out 27 dimes against the Recto-based squad’s 27 and 19, respectively.
Team captain Gerry Abadiano put up 11 markers while Miguel Palanca and Jacob Bayla chipped in eight and seven points, respectively.
The UE Red Warriors remain winless with a 0-3 record. Precious Momowei powered through for his team with 18 points, ten rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.
State U seeks to stay in the win column as it faces the National University Bulldogs on Oct. 4 at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
