MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons got away with a close 79-72 victory over University of the East Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Maodo Malick Diouf returned from a one-game absence to finish with a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Crispin John Cansino added 17 markers as the Fighting Maroons secured a Final Four seat with their 9-2 win-loss slate.
With the score tied at 69-all after back-to-back triples by UE’s Jack Cruz-Dumont, UP responded with two free throws from Diouf and a floater from Cansino for a 73-69 advantage.
Cruz-Dumont pulled the Red Warriors closer at 72-73 with another outside conversion, but the Fighting Maroons answered with an alley-oop layup by Francis Lopez from a pass by JD Cagulangan for a 75-72 lead.
The Red Warriors were unable to put up a decent shot in the next possession due to the Fighting Maroons’ tight defense. UP then sealed the victory on free throws by Cagulangan.
Cruz-Dumont finished with 19 points, including five triples; Precious Momowei added a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds; and Rey Remogat contributed 12 points and 10 assists for UE, which dropped to 4-7.
De La Salle University Green Archers (8-3) thwarted Adamson University Falcons (5-6) with a 69-57 victory and secured their return trip to the UAAP Final Four for the first time since Season 84.
Kevin Quiambao posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Michael Phillips hauled 11 rebounds to go with eight markers and Joshua David also had eight points for the Green Archers.
Holding to a slim 54-50 lead after three quarters, the Green Archers went on a massive run in the final frame as they outscored their opponents, 15-7, to secure their fifth consecutive win.
National University Bulldogs (9-2) also secured their place in the semifinals after a 68-57 triumph against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws (3-8). Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 15 points and six rebounds, while Jolo Manansala chipped in 11 markers./PN
