By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons relied on their experience to wallop the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 97-67, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday night, November 29.
Negrense Harold Alarcon spearheaded the offense with 21 points, the majority came in the second half, while rookie Francis Lopez posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Fighting Maroons.
JD Cagulangan and Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively. Maodo Malick Diouf hauled 15 rebounds to go with nine points, while Sean Aldous Torculas grabbed 10 rebounds to go with nine points for UP.
With a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, the Fighting Maroons will have a chance to clinch their second UAAP championship in the last three seasons in Game 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, December 3.
From a seesaw battle to start the game, the Fighting Maroons created separation late in the opening quarter behind back-to-back three-pointers by Cagulangan and CJ Cansino for a 28-24 lead.
The Fighting Maroons widened the lead to 37-28 after a connection by Ernest Felicilda, but the Green Archers threatened to within 38-42.
UP increased the lead to 53-41 at the half on two conversions from Cagulangan.
UP continued their run in the third quarter with Lopez attacking the Green Archers’ defense for a 61-45 lead.
It was followed by consecutive free throws from Alarcon to push UP’s lead to 77-55.
The Green Archers continued to struggle with their shots in the final quarter, which the Fighting Maroons took advantage of as they increased the lead to their biggest at 30 points late in the game.
“The team executed the game plan well and ‘yung defense was really great. We just have to sustain it because a championship series is not won in one game,” UP head coach Goldwyn Monteverde said.
Michael Phillips top-scored for the Green Archers with 19 points to go with nine rebounds, while MVP candidate Kevin Quiambao struggled with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
UP 97 — Alarcon 21, Lopez 15, Cagulangan 11, Abadiano 10, Diouf 9, Torculas 9, Cansino 5, Fortea 5, Belmonte 5, Felicilda 4, Pablo 3, Torres 0, Alter 0, Briones 0, Gagate 0.
DLSU 67 — M. Phillips 19, Quiambao 11, Nelle 8, Austria 6, Nonoy 5, Cortez 4, Gollena 4, Escandor 3, David 2, Policarpio 2, Abadam 2, Manuel 1, Macalalag 0, Nwankwo 0, B. Phillips 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 53-41, 77-55, 97-67./ASC, WDJ