Monday, November 13, 2017

UP claims must-win over NU

The University of the Philippines did not want to end their UAAP Season 80 campaign on a losing note, riding on the heroics of Paul Desiderio once again to help tow them to a 106-81 must-win victory over National University at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum this past Saturday.

Desiderio tied his career-high with thirty points, while also contributing seven rebounds and three assists. He shared afterwards to the media that he dedicates this victory to his four graduating teammates in Paolo Romero, Rob Ricafort, Ibrahim Ouattara, and Andrew Harris.

Coming into the match, both teams were toting a 5-8 record, with the loser getting eliminated automatically, and the winner having to wait for the result of the FEU vs Adamson game later that afternoon.

UP kickstarted things offensively with Desiderio joining forces with the Gomez de Liano brothers to score 45 of the Maroon's 58 points in the first half. They would extend the lead to as much as 25 points in the second half, before the Bulldogs managed to reduce that to as low as fourteen points.

Regardless of the result of the FEU-Adamson game, head coach Bo Perasol lauded the performance of his team, adding "I'm really proud with how they responded to the challenge, this is a game we can reckon with for the years to come."

Issa Gaye led NU with 25 points and ten rebounds, while J-Jay Alejandro ended his collegiate career with sixteen points, four rebounds, and eight assists.(c/o Kim Karlo Castro)

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