The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons begin their Final Four run on a losing note, 83-80, after a strong performance from the De La Salle Green Archers at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 3.
Held on the cusp of elimination, DLSU took control from the get-go and pulled off a relentless scoring charge to set up an early eight-point lead, 24-16.
UP played a more polished second frame after a their tough scoring drought in the start of the game. The Green Archers’ consistency with aggression on both ends of the floor saw them prevail over State U at halftime, 48-37.
The maroon shirts picked up their reliable shooting prowess in the third quarter. But the green-and-white’s counter-attacks easily halted UP’s growing momentum.
DLSU went on a 16-2 run to claim the biggest lead of the game at 22 points. In the last minutes of the third frame, State U sliced the deficit to 11 ahead of the closing stretch.
The Green Archers left no stone unturned in the fourth quarter. But State U did not back down, punching in a nine-point spurt to cut DLSU’s lead to three points with 13 seconds left.
Ricci Rivero missed a clutch three-pointer to make it a one-point game in the closing seconds. Late free throws from DLSU’s Evan Nelle ensured the victory at 83-30 to force a rubber match on Friday.
UP Men’s Basketball Team head coach Goldwin Monteverde faces the media after the loss to DLSU on May 3.
Rivero and Malick Diouf racked up 18 points each in the losing effort, with MVP candidate Zav Lucero adding 17 points.
UP now moves to the tipping point of a Season 81 finals rematch with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, or a season-ending defeat to the De La Salle Green Archers.
Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde is keen on regaining their sharp winning form to insecure the last Finals slot.
“For us, sa mga ganitong klaseng laro, we have to want it more than our opponent. Hindi namin na-match yung intensity nila,” Monteverde explained. “Pero ang importante right now is makita namin where to adjust. We need to bounce back for Friday’s game.”
State U’s title aspirations hang in the balance in their knockout match against DLSU on May 7.
QUARTER SCORES: 24-16, 48-37, 66-55, 83-80
