The UP Fighting Maroons completed a doubleheader sweep of University of the East (UE) Red Warriors on Oct. 17 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 tournament at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The UP Fighting Maroons’ women’s and men’s basketball teams scored contrasting wins; the UP Women’s Basketball Team (UPWBT) clamped down on defense to rout the Lady Warriors, 57-43, while the UP Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) turned back the hot-shooting Red Warriors, 91-81.
The win lifted UPWBT to second in the standings with a 3-2 record. The UPMBT, meanwhile, improved to 5-2, tying with the National University (NU) Bulldogs but settling for second place under the winner-over-the-other rule.
UPWBT took control early, establishing a 23-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. UE fought back and made a 14-6 run in the late second quarter to cut the deficit to five points at halftime, 31-26.
The UP Fighting Maroons regained their footing in the third period, limiting the Lady Warriors to just 10 points to restore a double-digit lead, 48-36, heading into the final frame. UPWBT tightened its defense in the payoff period, holding the Lady Warriors scoreless for seven minutes to seal the win.
Kennan Ka led UPWBT with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a block. Blessing Francis and Tiani Abrams added nine points each, while Camille Nolasco chipped in eight points.
Meanwhile, the UPMBT started flat as the Red Warriors built a 10-point lead late in the second quarter, 43-33. The UP Fighting Maroons, however, was able to cut the deficit to three at halftime, 45-48.
UE still led 65-61 late in the third quarter before Chicco Briones and Elliot Dimaculangan sparked a 12-0 run to put UPMBT ahead, 73-65, heading into the final period.
The Red Warriors rallied and were able to cut the gap to five, 81-86, with 2:55 remaining. But the UP Fighting Maroons held the Red Warriors scoreless the rest of the way as UPMBT closed out the win.
Seven UP Fighting Maroons scored in double figures led by James Payosing’s 16 points and 12 rebounds. Briones added 13 points, while Gani Stevens had 12 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Veejay Pre and Dimaculangan had 11 points apiece, Noy Remogat and Dikachi Ududo chipped in 10 points each.
The UPWBT will face the NU Lady Bulldogs on Oct. 21, 3 p.m., while the UPMBT will play against the UST Growling Tigers on Oct. 21, 5 p.m. Both games will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
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