MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons inched closer to defending its crown after a 72-66 win over Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in Game 1 of UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball finals on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Zavier Lucero tallied 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while JD Cagulangan had 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. The Fighting Maroons took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Negrense Harold Alarcon contributed 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, as presumptive UAAP Season 85 MVP Maodo Malick Diouf had nine points and 10 rebounds for UP.
“Alam naman namin kung anong klaseng team ang Ateneo. Hindi naman tayo talaga pwede mag-relax. We’ve always talked about it na playing against Ateneo, we should really play good defense,” said UP head coach Goldwyn Monteverde.
Holding to a slim 58-56 lead midway in the fourth quarter, the Fighting Maroons got back-to-back three-pointers from Alarcon and inside hits from Lucero and Carl Tamayo for a 68-58 upperhand.
The Blue Eagles, however, were able to trim the deficit to just 65-70 with over two minutes remaining thanks to the efforts of Bryan Andrade, Joshua Lazaro, and naturalized center Angelo Kouame.
Dave Ildefonso converted one free throw to cut UP’s lead to just four points with over a minute to play but could not came even closer as Cagulangan sealed the win for the Fighting Maroons with two freebies.
“Defensively, we started well,” said Monteverde. “Yung movement ng bola was really there. I like the way the team (was) looking for the open man. They had their run kanina but at least na-sustain naman namin nung bandang fourth (quarter).”
Rence Padrigao led Ateneo with 16 points and four assists. Kouame produced 15 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks and Ildefonso and Andrade scored 10 points each with the former clinching seven rebounds.
The Fighting Maroons are now just one win away from winning two consecutive crowns for the first time in school history when they repeat over the Blue Eagles in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
BOX SCORE:
UP 72 – Lucero 14, Cagulangan 12, Alarcon 11, Diouf 9, Gonzales 8, Tamayo 7, Galinato 6, Spencer 5, Fortea 0, Abadiano 0.
ATENEO 66 – Padrigao 16, Kouame 15, Ildefonso 10, Andrade 10, Koon 9, Lazaro 3, Chiu 2, Gomez 1, Ballungay 0, Daves 0, Quitevis 0, Lao 0.
Quarterscores: 28-19, 42-35, 54-50, 72-66./PN
