By MARK REY MONTEJO
Harold Alarcon registered a career-high 31 points as University of the Philippines banked on its fourth quarter assault to deny University of the East’s outright entry to the Final Four, 77-67, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Wednesday evening, Nov. 20.
Alarcon caught fire and steered the Fighting Maroons in the fourth quarter where he drilled timely baskets to frustrate the Red Warriors.
The 6-foot-1 guard finished with career-best scoring on top of five rebounds while Quentin Millora-Brown grabbed 12 rebounds – seven were offensive boards – along with 16 points.
UP improved its record to 11-3 before it heads to the semifinal where it battles UST (7-7).
UE, meanwhile, suffered its fifth straight loss for a 6-8 card.
The Jack Santiago-mentored crew will wait for the outcome of the Adamson-Ateneo duel this Saturday, Nov. 23, to determine its next destination.
Jack Cruz-Dumont starred for UE with 14 points, four assists and four steals while Rainer Maga and Precious Momowei backed him up with 11 apiece.
It was a tight encounter in the first three quarters before UP rode on its blistering run in the fourth.
The 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, Mulingtapang 0, H. Cruz-Dumont 0.
Quarterscores: 15-21, 41-37, 55-52, 77-67.
