MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) University of the Philippines (UP), most notably team captain Jett Manuel, had every intention of ending its promising season with a victory, but University of the East (UE) simply had other plans when the two squads faced off on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Red Warriors played arguably their best game of the season, and overcame the Fighting Maroons, 80-67, to deal UP an emotional final loss in the UAAP Season 79 men's basketball tournament.
Four players scored in double-digits for UE, which led by as much as 25 points in the third period, and coolly withstood UP's rally early in the fourth quarter. The Red Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak, and improved to 3-10 heading into their final game of the UAAP Season 79 tournament against Far Eastern University (FEU).
The Red Warriors broke the game open in the second quarter, when they outscored UP 22-11 to head into the break with a 42-28 advantage. They withstood the loss of Bonbon Batiller, who had to be stretchered out of the court after a hard landing early in the second frame.
UE surged to a 56-32 advantage in the third quarter, thanks to Alvin Pasaol, who twice backed down UP rookie Javi Gomez de Liano in the post for easy buckets. Renz Palma highlighted the Red Warriors' game with a posterization of Noah Webb after driving along the baseline for a two-handed slam.
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The Maroons were able to cut the deficit to 12 points, 55-67, as they opened the final quarter on an 11-2 run anchored on three-pointers from Diego Dario and Gelo Vito.
However, the Red Warriors showed the composure that they sorely lacked in previous games, with Palma and Philip Manalang scoring crucial baskets that restored a more comfortable lead, 72-55, halfway through the period.
Philip Manalang with a sweet up-and-under! pic.twitter.com/ip5CVa25rE
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Bricked three-pointers from Jarrell Lim and the graduating Jett Manuel kept UP from further cutting into the deficit, and the Red Warriors were able to pad their advantage at the line.
"We stayed aggressive, even though UP made a run," said Pumaren. "We still kept our poise, and we played hard. The energy was there. Tonight, talagang we played to our potential."
Manalang, Palma and Batiller each had 14 points for UE, and Pasaol finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
Manuel finished his UP career with 13 points, but shot only three of 10 from the field and was responsible for four of UP's 15 turnovers. Dave Moralde, also playing in his final game, had 13 points and six boards, while Paul Desiderio had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Box scores:
UE (80) - Batiller 14, Manalang 14, Palma 14, Pasaol 11, Bartolome 7, Varilla 6, Olayon 5, Derige 3, Abanto 2, Acuno 2, Gagate 2, Charcos 0.
UP (67) - Manuel 13, Moralde 13, Desiderio 12, Webb 6, Asilum 5, Gomez De Liano 5, Vito 5, Dario 3, Lao 2, Lim 2, Harris 1, Jaboneta 0, Prado 0.
Quarter scores: 20-17, 42-28, 65-44, 80-67.
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
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