UP Outlasts FEU to Extend Win Streak and Climb in UAAP Standings
The UP Fighting Maroons displayed their trademark balance and discipline to overpower the FEU Tamaraws, 89-75, and secure back-to-back wins in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
Center Francis Nnoruka anchored the victory for UP, capping his stellar outing with back-to-back dunks in the final seconds to punctuate a dominant 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. His energy on both ends set the tone for the defending champions, who have now won six of their last seven games to climb to solo second place with a 6-3 record, just behind league-leading National University (7-2).
UP’s frontcourt tandem of Nnoruka and Gani Stevens proved unstoppable, with Stevens contributing 14 points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting clip.
Rey Remogat orchestrated the offense with 12 points and eight assists, while Terrence Fortea added 10 markers, and Jacob Bayla impressed with an all-around effort of eight points, six boards, three steals, and two blocks.
(Video from the YouTube Channel of One Sports)
The Fighting Maroons dominated key statistical areas, shooting 47.2% from the field compared to FEU’s 43.9%. UP also outrebounded the Tamaraws, 43-35, dished out 24 assists to FEU’s 13, and registered 12 steals. The bench played a massive role, outscoring FEU’s reserves 41-2, reflecting UP’s depth and balance.
The Tamaraws, who entered the game riding a two-game winning streak, showed fight early on. After trailing by 13 at halftime, FEU opened the third quarter with a 10-3 run to cut the lead to six, 47-41. But UP quickly countered behind Stevens, Harold Alarcon, and Chicco Briones, rebuilding a double-digit cushion that held firm the rest of the way.
Mo Konateh led FEU’s effort with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, two assists, and two blocks, while Jorick Bautista added 22 points spiked by five triples. Kirby Mongcopa chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome UP’s relentless attack.
FEU’s main playmaker Janrey Pasaol struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with only six points on 3-of-17 shooting, although he tallied six assists, four rebounds, and two steals in the loss. The defeat dropped the Tamaraws to 3-6, halting their mini streak and putting them in seventh place.
UP, which swept FEU in their season series after narrowly winning their first-round encounter (69-66), looks to keep its momentum when it faces University of Santo Tomas on November 5 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, FEU will try to bounce back against Adamson University on the same day and venue.
The Scores:
UP 89 – Nnoruka 19, Stevens 14, Remogat 12, Fortea 10, Abadiano 9, Bayla 8, Belmonte 5, Alarcon 4, Torres 2, Briones 2, Palanca 2, Alter 2, Yniguez 0.
FEU 75 – Konateh 24, Bautista 22, Mongcopa 14, Daa 7, Pasaol 6, Owens 2, Felipe 0, Salangsang 0, Montemayor 0, Macapagal 0, Ona 0, Bagunu 0.
Quarter Scores: 21-12, 44-31, 65-53, 89-75
