ALMOST three hundred days after La Salle’s crowning moment in UAAP Season 88, the University of the Philippines got its lick back against the now-defending champions.
The Fighting Maroons turned in their most inspired game of Season 89 against the Green Archers for a well-earned 80-76 win at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Despite the late comeback where they helplessly conceded a 20-12 run, State U still managed to fend off its modern-day rival with timely heroics from newcomer Veejay Pre, who delivered seven of his 19 points and two dimes in the fourth quarter.
UP held a vice grip La Salle for majority of the matchup, with the former burying the latter by as much as 16 points.
But after an electric run by the Green Archers in the pivotal period, the Fighting Maroons suddenly saw themselves down 73-72 by virtue of a Jacob Cortez corner triple.
From that point, however, the maroon-and-green hammered home seven straight markers to ultimately bring home its third win in five games.
“Sa amin kasi, going into this game, it's more of a test of character for the team,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Galing kami from two losses, and nakapag-regroup yung team. Nakapagusap kung paano ma-o-overcome yung sitwasyon namin.”
Rey, Rey doesn't go away
Rey Remogat didn’t lose a step, nearly replicating his Game 3 performance from last year's finals with 20 points, four rebounds, and three triples to lead UP.
The senior guard, however, made it clear his his motivation is making up for their two-game slide.
As he put it, “Wala naman yung gigil. Pero sa last two losses namin, meron akong gustong ma-achieve as a person, meron kaming gustong ma-achieve as a team. Yun yung makawala kami sa two losses namin.“
Fil-Canadian Elliott Dimaculangan also had out his coming-out party, delivering 11 points on just four shots off the bench, as Nigerian Dikachi Ududo contributed five markers and 10 rebounds.
For La Salle, Jcee Macalalag was just a point shy of his career-high, as he went on a burner of 17 points, making all but one of his shots from the field.
Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo also made their veteran presence felt, chipping in 14 and 12, respectively. Jacob Cortez mustered 10 points on a rough shooting night to see the Green Archers drop to 3-3.
The Scores:
UP 80 - Remogat 20, Pre 19, Dimaculangan 11, Bayla 8, Ududo 5, Payosing 5, Poyos 5, Stevens 4, Yñiguez 3, Palanca 0, Maga 0, Briones 0
LA SALLE 76 - Macalalag 17, Pablo 14, Dungo 12, Cortez 10, Amos 6, Abadam 5, Tovera 3, Sardon 3, Daep 3, Marasigan 2, Gagate 1, Agunanne 0
Quarters: 24-17, 37-29, 63-53, 80-76
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