The UP Men’s Basketball Team won their first UAAP Season 89 game, with a 92-85 victory over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, Sept. 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The first quarter was a tight contest, with UST taking the momentum midway. Early in the second quarter, UP’s Chico Briones faked a 3-point shot, adjusted and made the shot early in the second quarter, giving the Maroons the lead and helping them build a 10-point advantage. UST rallied late in the period, however, to take a 48-44 lead at halftime.
UP’s Francis Nnoruka scored the team’s first points of the third quarter, while Gani Stevens and Sean Alter made their presence felt on defense by securing rebounds. UP squeaked past UST, 66-62, heading into the fourth quarter.
With strong ball movement and sounding chants from the crowd, the Maroons, led by Arvie Poyos, Miguel Yñiguez, and Nnoruka, held off a UST rally midway through the fourth quarter and maintained a nine-point lead.
UP’s Rev Remogat broke through the Tigers’ defense with a flurry of late 3-pointers. With 26.9 seconds remaining, Nnoruka capped his performance with a dunk against UST, bringing his total to 18 points and leading the Maroons in scoring.
“Masaya ako na maganda ‘yung nangyari sa game pero marami pa rin to improve as a team. Kailangan pa rin bumalik sa training pa rin talaga,” said Remogat.
UP will face Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, Sept. 19, at the Big Dome.
View scenes from the game:
