The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons cemented their spots in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 Basketball Tournament as the men’s team escaped the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors and the women’s squad trounced the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
The victory ensured the fifth straight appearance of the UP Men’s Basketball Team (UP MBT) in the Final Four, while the UP Women’s Basketball Team (UP WBT) ended a 15-year semifinals drought since UAAP Season 71.
Crucial bounce back
After a heartbreaking loss to the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers on Sunday, Nov. 5, the redemption-seeking UP MBT immediately regained their winning form after escaping the UE Red Warriors, 79-72, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The returning Malick Diouf led the way for the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, 15 rebounds and five steals after sitting out the last game due to a wrist injury.
Team captain CJ Cansino also contributed 17 markers of his own.
UP MBT Team Captain CJ Cansino drives past UE’s Jack Cruz-Dumont during their round two matchup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Photo by the UAAP Media Team
The Red Warriors, led by Nigerian big man Precious Momowei and star guard Rey Remogat, started the game on all cylinders, forcing the struggling Fighting Maroons to stare at a 17-21 deficit at the end of the opening quarter.
However, State U turned the tides in the second frame as they came out gunning with inside attacks from reigning MVP Diouf and rookie star Francis Lopez en route to a 53-48 cushion entering the second half.
The Maroon offense controlled the game up until the third quarter, where UP led by as much as 15 points before the red shirts rallied back with a 10-run to trim the deficit, 60-55.
With neither team giving an inch, UE caught fire in the final stages of the game as Jack Cruz-Dumont drained a trifecta of three-pointers to cut the lead to one, 73-72, with only 1 minute and 21 seconds left in the fourth salvo.
The Fighting Maroons shrugged off these heroics and turned down any hope of a comeback for UE as a Lopez alley-oop layup and a crucial steal by Diouf gave UP all the momentum. After more defensive stops, Diouf and JD Cagulangan shared four successful free throws to ice the game.
Despite the win, UP Assistant Coach Christian Luanzon said the team’s performance in the latter stages of the game was not up to par.
“There are things to improve, especially in the second half where there were sections wherein we were flat. But a win is a win, especially coming off a loss,” Luanzon said.
Ending a 15-year drought
Coming off a dominating win against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the UP WBT continued their winning ways against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 70-55, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Maroons dominated the game from the get-go as they jumped out to a 19-10 lead at the end of the opening frame.
While the Lady Tamaraws put up their best efforts, they struggled to get their attack going against the vaunted UP defense, enabling the maroon shirts to secure the lead and close the first half at 34-25.
The Diliman-based squad’s offense rolled even more to outscore the Tamaraws by 8 to end the third frame en route to a 17-point State U cushion.
The final canto was not any different as continued defensive efforts and scoring for the Lady Maroons eventually closed the doors on FEU.
Sharpshooting guard Kaye Pesquera starred for the Diliman-based squad, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. The trio of Christie Bariquit, Achrissa Maw and Rizza Lozada also scored 11 points each.
Meanwhile, Congolese rookie Josee Kaputu led the way for FEU, scoring 20 markers and grabbing nine rebounds.
UP WBT Head Coach Paul Ramos shared that while a Final Four appearance was the team’s goal this season, he wants his team to achieve the highest they can.
“I feel that with the belief of all the players, the community, and the team, we’re really going to try to get the most out of this season. I feel that we’re underperforming if it’s only the Final Four that we’re after,” Ramos shared in a post-game interview.
The UP Fighting Maroons look to seal more victories in their next set of matches on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The UP MBT will aim to solidify its place on the top of the UAAP ladder as they face the FEU Tamaraws, while the UP WBT will try to get hold of a twice-to-beat advantage as they take on the DLSU Lady Archers.
UP MBT QUARTER SCORES: 17-21, 43-38, 60-55, 79-72
UP WBT QUARTER SCORES: 19-10, 34-25, 55-38, 70-55
