University of the Philippines rallied in the fourth quarter to trounce University of Santo Tomas, 83-73, and return to its winning ways in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Sunday.
The Fighting Maroons erased the Growling Tigers’ 65-61 lead early in the payoff period with a 16-2 furious run to take a 77-67 advantage with 4:09 remaining.
Terrence Fortea, Quentin Millora-Brown, JD Cagulangan, Mark Belmonte, and Reyland Torres all had a hand in the blast that allowed UP to raise its record to 7-1, matching De La Salle University at the top of the standings.
The Fighting Maroons under coach Goldwin Monteverde are now 8-0 all-time against the UST Growling Tigers since he took over in 2022.
“Being consistent with what we’ve always said in the first round, responding to the challenge at hand. I believe the team in a way nung first half kasi we’ve been forcing UST’s shots but then nako-control nila ‘yung offensive rebounds so the team worked together to control the rebound in the second half,” said Monteverde.
Francis Lopez almost had a perfect day from the field, making all but one of his nine attempts from the field to finish with a team-high 20 points for UP while also securing seven rebounds.
Fortea waxed hot in the second half, scoring 14 of his 16 points there including nine in the pivotal final frame, while Harold Alarcon also made 11 points in the win.
“Nagfocus ako nung second half, siguro sa offense namin kung ano ang ibibigay ng depensa iniexplore lang naman namin kaya ayun,“ said Fortea.
JD Cagulangan, who was second in the MVP race after the first round, made his return to the court after missing the past two games for UP, chipping in nine points and four assists against four turnovers.
UP will next face National University on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Malian center Mo Tounkara tallied 24 points and nine rebounds but the Growling Tigers still dropped to an even 4-4 slate, remaining at solo fourth.
Nic Cabañero added 17 points and nine rebounds while Christian Manaytay got 12 points in the defeat.
Opening the second round against last season’s finalists, UST will take on defending champion De La Salle on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
UP 83 – Lopez 20, Fortea 16, Alarcon 11, Millora-Brown 10, Cagulangan 9, Torres 4, Bayla 4, Ududo 4, Belmonte 3, Stevens 2, Felicilda 0, Torculas 0, Briones 0.
UST 73 – Tounkara 24, Cabañero 17, Manaytay 12, Padrigao 5, Llemit 5, Danting 4, Robinson 4, Acido 2, Crisostomo 0, Calum 0, Paranada 0, Mahmood 0, Pangilinan 0, Lane 0, Laure 0.
Quarterscores: 18-17, 43-43, 59-62, 83-73
