Alarcon leads UP past UST in 89-88 nail-biter in UAAP Season 88
The UP Fighting Maroons leaned on senior guard Harold Alarcon’s late-game heroics to escape the UST Growling Tigers, 89-88, in a thrilling UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball showdown on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Alarcon delivered when it mattered most, scoring UP’s final eight points, including the go-ahead fadeaway jumper with 24.3 seconds left, to secure the win and help the Maroons hold on to solo second place with a 7-3 record. The victory also marked UP’s third straight and seventh in its last eight outings.
Harold finished with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, carrying the Maroons through a gritty fourth quarter as UST threatened to steal the game late.
The Growling Tigers had multiple chances to turn the tide in the final moments. Amiel Acido missed both a contested layup and an open floater, before a loose-ball scramble led to a jump ball in UST’s favor with 3.6 seconds remaining. On the final play, Collins Akowe fumbled the inbound pass under the rim, allowing UP to survive despite committing 38 fouls, which gave UST 52 free-throw attempts.
The Tigers, however, failed to make the most of their opportunities, hitting just 28 of 52 from the line.
UP had to claw back from a 15-point second-quarter deficit, as UST jumped ahead 36-21 early in the game. The Fighting Maroons regrouped to close the gap by halftime, trailing just 45-47.
Rey Remogat provided strong support for UP with 19 points, five triples, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Migs Yñiguez chipped in a career-best 11 points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.
The win also served as redemption for UP after its 87-67 blowout loss to UST in their opening weekend encounter.
(Video from the YouTube Channel of One Sports)
Despite the loss, UST rookie Akowe impressed with a massive 26-point, 16-rebound double-double, though he struggled at the stripe, converting only 10 of his 20 free throws. Nic Cabañero added 18 points, while Acido finished with 10 points and three boards.
UST, now at 5-5, has lost four straight games, falling into a tie for fourth with Ateneo and Adamson. To make matters worse, Forthsky Padrigao exited the game midway through the third quarter due to an ankle injury and did not return.
The Fighting Maroons will look to extend their streak to four games when they face University of the East on Saturday, November 8 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers will try to end their skid against Far Eastern University on Sunday, November 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
UP 89 – Alarcon 22, Remogat 19, Yñiguez 11, Belmonte 9, Nnoruka 6, Palanca 5, Stevens 5, Bayla 4, Fortea 4, Abadiano 2, Torres 2, Alter 0, Briones 0.
UST 88 – Akowe 26, Cabañero 18, Acido 10, Buenaflor 9, Paranada 8, Llemit 8, Estacio 5, Padrigao 2, Crisostomo 2, Laure 0, Calum 0, Danting 0.
Quarter Scores: 21-26, 45-47, 68-63, 89-88
