LADY Luck was not on the side of the University of the Philippines in its first foray in the World University Basketball Series.
A day after getting eliminated from championship contention, the Fighting Maroons got overwhelmed by University of Sydney en route to a 96-77 defeat in the classification phase, Sunday at Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium in Tokyo.
State U failed to keep in step with the Lions, as it shot a woeful 6-of-37 (16-percent) from distance.
With that, UP placed seventh in going winless in its debut in the invitational tournament that had been won by rivals Ateneo and La Salle in past years.
The Blue Eagles won the inaugural staging in 2022 before winding up fourth the year after, while the Green Archers are presently defending their title.
Terrence Fortea and Gani Stevens continued to provide silver linings, with the two building on their strong showings in the opener a day ago.
Fortea continued to be the shining light for the Fighting Maroons, dropping 18 points built on four triples, to go with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, as Stevens added eight points and eight rebounds.
Chicco Briones also sustained his fine play with 11 points, while Francis Nnoruka came a board shy of a double-double with his 10-9 line.
READ: UST eager to welcome UAAP community for Season 88 opening
In all, this uninspiring showing just gave coach Goldwin Monteverde a clearer look at what he needs to finetune, as the Fighting Maroons head into their title defense in the looming UAAP Season 88.
Iggy Mitchell was unstoppable for the University of Sydney, unfurling 25 points on 4-of-10 clip from threes, alongside seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists in the victory that moves them to the battle for fifth against National Chengchi University of Chinese Taipei.
Last-place, meanwhile, goes to also-winless University of Hong Kong.
The Scores:
U OF SYDNEY 96 - Mitchell 25, Moore 13, Skelton 11, Smith 10, Ja. Weinstein 8, Salis 7, Woodcock 6, Spark 5, Goehring 4, Williams 3, Je. Weinstein 2, Evans 2.
UP 77 - Fortea 18, Briones 11, Nnoruka 10, Stevens 8, Belmonte 8, Remogat 7, Gagate 5, Abadiano 4, Palanca 4, Torres 2, Felicilda 0, Yniguez 0.
Quarters: 25-21, 48-42, 71-57, 96-77.
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