UP escapes NU to return to UAAP Finals

The University of the Philippines have a chance to defend their championship as they booked a slot in the UAAP Season 85 Finals after escaping National University, 69-61, on Wednesday in the Final Four match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Down 61-58 with 3:03 left, the Fighting Maroons had an 11-0 run late in the final period to claim the win. John Lloyd Clemente tried to stop the bleeding for NU with a triple but missed, with free throws from Harold Alarcon sealing the deal for the Diliman-based squad.

At the end of the first half, the Bulldogs had the advantage, 38-35.

Malick Diouf registered a double-double performance with 17 points and 21 rebounds, while Zav Lucero and Cyril Gonzales added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Kean Baclaan and Mike Malonzo had 14 and 11 points, respectively.

"We're happy to be given another chance in the championship," UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde said, adding that NU was a tough challenge in the match.

UP coach Gold Monteverde happy to be given the oppportunity to be in the UAAP Finals again, says NU was a ‘tough challenge’ #UAAPSeason85 @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/yU7BSSTq2I

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) December 7, 2022

This is UP's second straight finals appearance and it will wait for the winner of the Ateneo de Manila-Adamson series that begins tonight. The Blue Eagles hold the twice-to-beat bonus.

The scores:

UP 69 - Diouf 17, Lucero 12, Gonzales 11, Cagulangan 8, Abadiano 7, Fortea 6, Tamayo 6, Alarcon 2, Spencer 0, Galinato 0, Torculas 0.

NU 61 - Figueroa 16, Baclaan 14, Malonzo 11, John 8, Yu 2, Clemente 2, Enriquez 2, Mahinay 2, Minerva 2, Galinato 2, Manansala 0, Palacielo 0, Tibayan 0.

Quarters: 17-19, 35-38, 54-45, 69-61.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News