Harold Alarcon erupts for career-high 33 points as UP stalls UE's Final Four hopes

Harold Alarcon erupted for a career-high 33 points to tow University of the Philippines past University of the East, 77-67, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. 

The Fighting Maroons climbed to an 11-3 record heading into their Final Four battle against University of Santo Tomas in the first semifinal pairing.

UP also continued to stall UE’s campaign back to the post-season action as the latter absorbed its fifth straight loss for a 6-8 card. 

Alarcon poured 16 points in the payoff period to tie reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao for most points scored this season as he posted 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting and grabbed five rebounds and one steal to go with it. 

Quentin Millora-Brown registered a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double highlighted by 7-of-10 inside shooting to further the cause. 

UP bucked a 21-15 deficit in the first period and stepped on the gas until the rest of the way to seal the deal for the Katipunan side as UE never found its way back into the match.

“I think this justifies our two straight losses [previously]. Magandang kapalit dalawa ring magkasunod na panalo. Obviously, there’s no implications in terms of bearing nung seeding for us,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon. 

Jack Cruz-Dumont scattered an all-around 14 points, three rebounds, four assists, and four steals to lead the losing cause for UE. 

For his part, the returning Precious Momowei, who served a one-game suspension in UE’s narrow 71-67 defeat to Ateneo de Manila University last week, added 11 points that went with 12 rebounds, while Rainer Maga had 11 points of his own. 

The Red Warriors, though, remain in contention for the last Final Four seat. The Recto-based squad will earn the outright berth if Adamson loses to Ateneo on Saturday. A Soaring Falcons win, however, will force a playoffs for the last spot. 

Scores:

UP 77 - Alarcon 33, Millora-Brown 16, Cagulangan 4, Lopez 4, Torres 4, Abadiano 4, Fortea 4, Briones 3, Ududo 2, Torculas 2, Bayla 1, Felicilda 9, Belmonte 0, Stevens 0.

UE 67 - J. Cruz-Dumont 14, Momowei 11, Maga 11, Abate 8, Fikes 7, Lingolingo 6, Go 4, Wilson 3, Galang 3, Mulingtapan 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.

Quarterscores: 15-21, 41-37, 55-52, 77-67.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News