UP demolishes UE to open UAAP 81

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons opened the 81st season of the UAAP with a big 29-point win over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 87-58, at the Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday afternoon.

The Diliman-based squad relied on a strong third quarter performance, 25-12, to propel the Maroons to 58-45 at the end of the period.

The Maroons continued to storm the Warriors in the fourth quarter, making 29 points against UE's 13, to end the game, 87-58.

"There's nothing out there that we haven't prepared [for]," UP head coach Bo Perasol said. "This is just the start. I'm just happy that we were able to get this win and I hope we could capitalize on the momentum that we have," he added.

JUST IN: UP Fighting Maroons demolish UE Red Warriors to open UAAP Season 81, 87-58. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/8r6NyYphnQ

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) September 8, 2018

Bright Akhuetie proved to be a bright spot for the Fighting Maroons, tallying 15 points and 18 boards. Juan Gomez de Liano led UP in scoring with 16.

The big man from Diliman said he "feels great" winning his first game in the UAAP, but reminded himself that this was "still the same basketball" he has been playing ever since.

The Fighting Maroons will face defending champs Ateneo next. "I think we know what we can do and I think we know what Ateneo is all about. We will prepare for them and let's see what's going to happen. We need to have an A-1 game against them," Perasol said.

Scores:

UP: Gomez de Liano, Ju., - 16, Akhuetie - 15, Manzo - 13, Desiderio - 12, Gomez de Liano Ja. -10, Vito - 7, Murell - 6, Lim - 2, Tungcab - 2, Prado - 2, Gozum - 2.

UE: Pasaol - 14, Antiporda- 9, Beltran - 8, Manalang - 6, Varilla - 6, Bartolome - 4, Maloles - 4, Cullar - 3, Conner - 2, Acuno - 2.

— MDM, GMA News