By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Harold Alarcon took charge when it mattered most as the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons stunned the previously unbeaten Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 83-69, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday night, October 8.

The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native delivered 17 points and anchored UP’s crucial third-quarter surge that broke the game wide open, leading the Fighting Maroons to their third straight win for a 3-2 record.

Francis Nnoruka also imposed his will inside the paint with a dominant 28-point performance built on 9-of-13 shooting, while adding nine rebounds, four steals and one assist.

Rey Remogat chipped in 20 markers, providing steady support in the backcourt.

After holding a narrow 40-38 lead at halftime, Alarcon sparked UP’s second-half explosion with back-to-back hits that ignited a 17-point run, giving the Maroons control for good.

Ateneo tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to 53-66, but Nnoruka’s baskets inside and Alarcon’s steady play at both ends secured the Fighting Maroons’ victory.

Shawn Tuano paced the Blue Eagles with 17 points, while Kymani Ladi added 15.

Dom Escobar was limited to just four as Ateneo fell to 4-1.

In the earlier game, the National University (NU) Bulldogs eked out a 56-54 thriller over Adamson University to improve to 4-1, behind Jake Figueroa’s clutch heroics.

Figueroa scored the go-ahead basket in the final minute, then sealed the win with a free throw after a flagrant foul by AJ Fransman.

He finished with 17 points, while Jolo Manansala and Lenard Santiago added nine each for NU./ASC, WDJ