UP reclaims share of men's basketball lead

c/o UAAP

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines booked its spot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four after holding off Adamson University with a strong finish, 70-59, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Fighting Maroons joined their Finals rival last season De La Salle Green Archers in the semifinals after raising their record to 8-1 at solo second. 

This marked UP’s sixth consecutive trip to the Final Four starting back in Season 81 (2018). 

“This was a clinching semifinal game so you know, it's something that we're gonna celebrate tonight, so to speak, but at the same time the goal is -- the big picture, iyong papasok ng finals, giving ourselves an opportunity for that,” said Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon. 

“For coach Gold, this is something that he's been doing since he started coaching. For him, it's more than just the results. It's all about the improvement ng team and even after this win, still to improve,” added the trusted deputy. 

AJ Fransman’s floater and Jhon Calisay’s triple at the 3:48 mark of the fourth quarter pulled the Soaring Falcons within one, 57-58. 

However, the Fighting Maroons answered in variety of ways as Mark Belmonte, Gerry Abadiano, and Quentin Millora-Brown connived for 12 straight points punctuated by a one-handed hammer by the one-and-done center with 52.4 seconds left, 70-57. 

“Obviously it’s my first year, that year off was definitely hard not playing in the UAAP so I just tried to find that rhythm I had and it’s nice to finally — I’ve been working hard these past two weeks, really focusing on our defense and executing and seeing that translate to games,” said Gani Stevens, who rose to the occasion with 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field after only amassing four points in their first eight games.

JD Cagulangan led UP with 17 points on 7-of-11 clip from the field to go with three rebounds and two steals despite committing five turnovers. 

Terrence Fortea and Belmonte also delivered nine points apiece in the win for the Fighting Maroons who did not have the services of Harold Alarcon as he is recovering from a muscle strain. 

The Soaring Falcons’ struggles went on, suffering their fifth straight loss to drop to 3-7 for joint-sixth with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. 

It was another sorry loss for Adamson against UP, which it led by 22 in their first round encounter only to lose, 69-57. 

Mathew Montebon paced the Falcons anew with 14 points and five rebounds but had six in his team’s 28 turnovers. 

Fransman added 13 points and five rebounds while Cedrick Manzano got 12 points and six rebounds. 

UP looks to continue this momentum on Wednesday against Ateneo at the same Pasay venue at 6:30 p.m. Earlier at 2 p.m., Adamson will face University of the East. 

The Scores:

UP 70 – Cagulangan 17, Stevens 10, Fortea 9, Belmonte 9, Abadiano 7, Torres 4, Millora-Brown 4, Bayla 3, Ududo 3, Lopez 2, Felicilda 2, Alter 0, Torculas 0.

ADU 59 – Montebon 14, Fransman 13, Manzano 12, Yerro 6, Mantua 5, Ojarikre 4, Calisay 3, Ignacio 2, Alexander 0, Anabo 0, Ronzone 0.

Quarterscores: 17-20, 38-31, 55-48, 70-59