By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons leaned on a huge second half turnaround to defeat the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 73-65, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, December 8.
Negrense Harold Alarcon tallied four points, including two crucial free throws in the endgame, as the Fighting Maroons took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three championship series.
Quentin Millora-Brown led the way with 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block, while Francis Lopez and JD Cagulangan added 13 each for the Fighting Maroons.
Down by as many as seven points at 27-34 midway through the second quarter, the Fighting Maroons responded with conversions from Cagulangan and Aldous Torculas to cut the deficit to 37-41 at the half.
The Fighting Maroons continued their aggression in the third quarter with inside connections from Lopez and Millora-Brown and a late three-pointer from Cagulangan to take a 54-50 advantage.
UP’s lead stretched to as high as 11 points at 63-52 on a two-handed dunk by Millora-Brown in the fourth quarter, but DLSU responded with inside baskets from Michael Phillips to cut the deficit to 61-65.
The Fighting Maroons stretched their advantage to 70-63 with five straight points from Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano.
The Green Archers cut it to 65-70 on a basket by Phillips, but two free throws by Alarcon sealed the win for UP.
“We know naman that every game we play against La Salle, defense is really key to winning the game. I felt that nung second half, we had more intensity defensively, [and] we communicated better,” UP head coach Goldwyn Monteverde said.
“For me, it was a total team effort. Offensively, we moved the ball much better nung second quarter, and good thing we sustained it to the second half,” the one-time UAAP champion coach added.
Kevin Quiambao finished with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, Phillips added 17 markers and 11 boards, while Elaijah Gollena contributed 11 points for the defending champions Green Archers./ASC, WDJ
UP 73 — Millora-Brown 17, Cagulangan 13, Lopez 13, Abadiano 9, Torculas 7, Bayla 5, Alarcon 4, Torres 3, Fortea 2, Stevens 0, Felicilda 0, Ududo 0.
DLSU 65 — Quiambao 19, Phillips 17, Gollena 11, Austria 7, Ramiro 5, David 2, Agunnane 2, Marasigan 2, Dungo 0, Macalalag 0, Gonzales 0, Rubico 0.
Quarterscores: 11-18, 37-41, 50-54, 73-65.
Caption
Negrense Harold Alarcon tallied four points, including two crucial free throws in the endgame, as the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three championship series in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals. (UAAP photo)