MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons leaned on a huge second half turnaround to defeat De La Salle University Green Archers, 73-65, in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Quentin Millora-Brown led the way with 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block for the Fighting Maroons, which took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three title series.
Francis Lopez added 13 points, six rebounds, and four blocks, while JD Cagulangan contributed 13 markers for UP, which will aim for their second title in four UAAP seasons in Game 2 on Wednesday.
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 Harold Alarcon sealed the win for UP.
“Sa amin naman, from the last season, yung nangyari sa last season. We took that to heart sa first practice pa lang,” UP head coach Goldwyn Monteverde said, referring to their UAAP Season 86 Finals loss to DLSU.
“We as a team, ‘yung goal namin is to take it one game at a time. Ngayon, nandito na kami sa Finals, it starts with 0-0, it’s a best-of-three series, we are looking forward to ending it in the next game,” he 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./PN
BOX SCORE:
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.
