By NIKOLE JAVIER
Reigning Most Valuable Player Malick Diouf threw his weight around and lifted defending champion University of the Philippines to a nerve-wracking 69-61 win over National University in the UAAP Season 85 Final Four Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Diouf shone on both ends of the floor, scoring a team-high 17 points apart from grabbing 21 rebounds to help power the Maroons back to the Finals for a chance to win their second straight championship – their first in the premier collegiate league.
Diouf also had three blocks as the Maroons, who came into the enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage for finishing second, clinched the first finals berth. They will face the winner between top seed Ateneo and Adamson who were still playing at presstime.
Like Diouf, Zavier Lucero was also a monster inside the paint, producing his own version of double-double with m12 points and 11 rebounds.
UP players and coaches – not mention thousands of their supporters – were nervous early following Carl Tamayo’s awkward landing in the first quarter, resulting in a sprained right ankle. He finished with six points.
After a see-saw affair early in the fourth period, the Maroons found a separation through the gutsy play of Gerry Abadiano who sparked a vicious 11-0 run that all but took the fight out of the Bulldogs.
“We’re happy that we’ll be getting another chance to win the championship,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
John Figueroa’s 16-point outing paced the Bulldogs while Baclaan and Mike Malonzo had 14 and 11, respectively.
NU will miss out on the finals for eight straight years.
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.
