UAAP: UP halts FEU’s streak, climbs to second spot

The University of the Philippines halted Far Eastern University’s two-game winning streak with an 89-75 victory on Sunday in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

UP now holds solo second place with a 6-3 record.

The Fighting Maroons started strong, ending the first quarter with a 21-12 advantage before taking a 44-31 lead at halftime.

From there, the Diliman-based squad held off the Tamaraws to secure the win.

“We really prepared for FEU, and one thing for this game is that we moved the ball better as a team. Slowly, naa-identify ng bawat isa ‘yung role sa team namin, and I’m really happy to see that we’re improving and growing as a team,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, as his squad dished out 24 assists compared to FEU’s 15.

Francis Nnoruka tallied 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Gani Stevens added 14 points in UP’s second straight win after closing the first round with a loss to De La Salle University.

Mo Konateh led FEU with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Jorick Bautista chipped in 22 points in the loss as the Tamaraws slipped to 3-6.

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.

Quarters: 21-12, 44-31, 65-53, 89-75.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News