By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Harold Alarcon played limited minutes anew as the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons prevailed over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 69-58, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, September 22.

The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native finished with six points to go with three rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes of action as the Fighting Maroons improved to a 4-0 win-loss slate.

Francis Lopez led the way for the Fighting Maroons with 13 points and four rebounds, while Quentin Millora-Brown finished with a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.

From a slim 19-15 lead after the first quarter, the Fighting Maroons created separation in the second frame with a 20-7 scoring run behind inside hits by Millora-Brown to take a 39-22 halftime lead.

The Fighting Maroons continued their run in the second half, with Lopez attacking the defense to establish their largest lead at 25 points before the Tamaraws managed to cut the final margin to 11 points.

“One thing that coach Gold [Monteverde] reminds the team is ‘yung consistency. So consistency in the game will apply into four quarters, pero medyo nag-relax kami nung fourth quarter,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said.

Adam Nakai led the way for the Tamaraws with 12 points, while Veejay Pre and Jorick Bautista added 11 and 10 markers, respectively, as they suffered their fourth loss in as many games./ASC, WDJ

UP 69 — Lopez 13, Millora-Brown 11, Felicilda 9, Cagulangan 7, Alarcon 6, Bayla 6, Torres 4, Alter 4, Abadiano 3, Briones 2, Walker 2, Udodo 2, Fortea 0, Belmonte 0, Torculas 0, Stevens 0.

FEU 58 — Nakai 12, Bautista 11, Pre 10, Montemayor 9, Konateh 8, Alforque 6, Pasaol 2, Daa 0, Ona 0, Bagunu 0.

Quarterscores: 19-15, 39-22, 55-37, 69-58.