By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons secured a spot in the finals by defeating the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles with a score of 57-46 in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, November 25.
Maodo Malick Diouf tallied a double-double of 12 points and 16 rebounds to go with three steals, three blocks and one assist as the Fighting Maroons reached their third consecutive finals stint.
Rookie Francis Lopez also had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Ernest Felicilda contributed 10 points for UP, which was defeated by Ateneo in the finals of the UAAP Season 85.
The Fighting Maroons, which owned a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four, will battle the De La Salle University Green Archers in the best-of-three finals beginning on Wednesday, November 29, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Both teams just came prepared, especially on the defensive end. Both teams also struggled offensively. We got it going nung third quarter but more than that, they just fought hard,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said.
Down 22-25 at the half, the Fighting Maroons took control of the game in the third quarter behind inside conversions from Diouf and Lopez as they established a 49-42 advantage.
Despite several attempts by the Blue Eagles to rally back, the Fighting Maroons always had their answers as they maintained the nine-point margin to secure the much-needed victory.
“For me, it’s a team effort. Everybody was working hard, and we prepared well for Ateneo. I’m really happy right now for the win and going to the Finals,” reigning MVP Diouf said.
Chris Koon tallied 10 points to go with eight rebounds. Kai Ballungay chipped in eight points and six rebounds, while Joseph Obasa played his final game with Ateneo as he ended up with four points.
With the defeat, Ateneo missed the Finals for the first time since Season 78 in 2015, as this was the first year that head coach Tab Baldwin was not in the battle for the crown in the country’s premier collegiate league.
UP 57 — Diouf 12, Lopez 12, Felicilda 10, Abadiano 9, Torculas 7, Cansino 3, Cagulangan 2, Alarcon 2, Pablo 0, Torres 0, Alter 0, Belmonte 0, Fortea 0.
ATENEO 46 — Koon 10, Ballungay 8, Espinosa 7, Amos 6, Obasa 4, Brown 3, Chiu 3, Credo 3, Quitevis 2, Lazaro 0.
Quarterscores: 7-11, 22-25, 42-37, 57-46./ASC, WDJ