By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippines lived up to its lofty billing and smashed National University, 89-62, to keep its record pristine in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday evening, Sept. 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Fighting Maroons flexed their depth and offensive prowess by erecting a 53-22 lead in the second quarter and didn’t bother to look back en route to their third consecutive win, tying with the defending champions De La Salle Green Archers.
The Bulldogs, despite their efforts to respond, fell to a 1-2 win-loss record.
Belmonte chalked up 14 points while JD Cagulangan added 13 points as almost everybody contributed a little of everything for UP.
Jake Figueroa was the lone double-digit scorer for NU with 11 points, while Ian Manansala listed 10 rebounds on top nine points in a losing cause.
The Bulldogs first tasted the lead at 1-0, but the Maroons went on full throttle and dropped a 29-point bomb in the opening frame courtesy of Cagulangan, Belmonte and Francis Lopez.
They took a 27-12 edge to a 48-19 cushion in the second frame where Belmonte took charge with a 5-of-6 clip from the field, the further ripped the game wide open in the third, 76-37, courtesy of Harold Alarcon’s triple.
UP (89) – Belmonte 14, Cagulangan 13, Lopez 8, Millora-Brown 8, Abadiano 7, Ududo 6, Torculas 6, Felicilda 6, Fortea 5, Bayla 4, Alter 4, Alarcon 3, Briones 3, Torres 2, Stevens 0, Walker 0.
NU (62) – Figueroa 11, Manansala 9, Jumamoy 6, Garcia 6, Enriquez 5, Yu 5, Tulabut 4, Francisco 4, Santiago 4, Perciano 4, Padrones 2, Palacielo 2, Parks 0, Dela Cruz 0, Spencer 0.
Quarterscores: 29-14, 53-26, 76-41, 89-62
