FOR the last three years, the Battle of Katipunan hasn't been much of a battle at all.
That looked like it was finally changing in their first meeting in UAAP Season 89 - until James Payosing and Rey Remogat came alive and energized the University of the Philippines to a 94-75 romp over Ateneo at the middle of the Araneta Coliseum, Saturday.
Payosing fired 11 of his 16 points after halftime, where Remogat also caught fire for eight of his 14 markers.
“As first season ko pa lang dito sa UAAP, ine-embrace ko lang yung mga games and opportunity na naglalaro ako,” said Payosing, who was hailed as NCAA Finals MVP before transferring out of San Beda.
It was a neck-and-neck first half affair, with the Blue Eagles' backcourt of Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas keeping them within striking distance by scoring 10 points each.
UP fire
But State U came out of the break with a different defensive approach.
Francis Nnoruka and Gani Stevens anchored their interior defense which forced Ateneo into tougher looks and turning stops into transition opportunities.
That defensive surge opened the floodgates for Payosing and Remogat, who provided the spark, as the maroon-and-green finally pulled away from their Katipunan rivals.
“It was a good team win, we knew na bago kami pumunta sa game na 'to na it’s not gonna be easy playing against Ateneo,” said sixth-year head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
“I believe na nag-respond lang yung team, especially sa defensive end, playing as a team. It led in a way to being composed also sa offensive end.”
Veejay Pre then put the finishing touches on the rout in the final canto, scoring 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter in UP's second straight win.
Nnoruka finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Stevens flirted with a double-double of his own with nine points and 12 boards.
For Ateneo, Bahay wound up with 17 points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds, while Alas added 13 points, two steals, one rebound, and a block.
The Scores:
UP 94 - Payosing 16, Remogat 14, Pre 14, Nnoruka 12, Stevens 9, Ogana 7, Maga 6, Poyos 4, Alter 4, Yniguez 4, Franco 4, Andres 0, Palanca 0, Briones 0, Bayla 0.
ATENEO 75 - Bahay 17, Alas 13, Roberts 9, Espinosa 8, Baruwa 8, Tuano 5, Leal 5, Urbina 3, Rogers 3, Bongo 2, Cainglet 2, Espina 0, Kapihe 0
Quarters: 17-18, 46-45, 66-55, 94-75
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