FINALLY, the real University of the Philippines showed up on Saturday.
Brandishing the dominant form many expected them to have, the Fighting Maroons pulled out an 81-71 victory vs. University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
JD Cagulangan guided his side to back-to-back wins with 21 points on 5-of-6 shooting from distance, to go with seven rebounds and four assists.
UE fights
Yet as strong as UP was, it didn't mean it wasn't tested, especially with the Precious Momowei-led rally that allowed the Red Warriors to climb back from a 30-point second half hole to get to as close as 10.
Time, however, was just on State U's side that the cushion it built was just too insurmountable, condemning the Red Warriors to their second loss in as many games.
Mark Belmonte and Harold Alarcon both had nine, while Francis Lopez had seven built on three highlight dunks, as the Fighting Maroons dished out 22 assists for a 31-of-65 (47-percent) field goal shooting.
Momowei tried his best to will his side to the breakthrough before ultimately falling short after putting up 20 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks.
The Scores:
UP 81 – Cagulangan 21, Belmonte 9, Alarcon 9, Bayla 7, Lopez 7, Ududo 7, Abadiano 6, Millora-Brown 5, Fortea 5, Stevens 2, Briones 2, Torres 1, Alter 0, Walker 0.
UE 71 – Momowei 20, Lingolingo 11, Maga 9, Mulingtapang 9, Abate 6, Fikes 6, Wilson 6, Galang 2, J. Cruz-Dumont 2, H. Cruz-Dumont 0, Malaga 0.
Quarters: 25-13, 48-29, 69-49, 81-71.
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