By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippines held its ground in the waning minutes and frustrated University of Santo Tomas in the semifinal, 78-69, to punch its UAAP Finals ticket in the Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Nov. 30.
The win gave the Fighting Maroons their fourth consecutive finals appearance since 2021 where they won the championship against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 2-1.
JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez delivered the goods for UP in the fourth quarter where they hiked their lead to 11, 72-61, and enough to halt the Growling Tigers’ run.
Alarcon and Lopez starred once again as they registered 16 points each while Reyland Torres added 13.
Kyle Paranada (12), Gelo Crisostomo (12), Nic Cabanero (12), and Cristian Manaytay (10) combined for 46 points for UST.
On the other hand, Tigers aces in Mo Tounkara and Forthsky Padrigao, who got ejected in the payoff period, had a quiet eight and seven points, respectively, as the Espana-based squad ended its promising campaign this year.
The Maroons now await the winner of the other semis pairing in reigning champions La Salle Green Archers and Adamson Soaring Falcons.
The Scores:
UP 78 – Lopez 16, Alarcon 16, Torres 13, Millora-Brown 9, Fortea 8, Cagulangan 6, Ududo 4, Felicilda 2, Stevens 2, Belmonte 2, Bayla 0, Abadiano 0.
UST 69 – Paranada 12, Cabañero 12, Crisostomo 12, Manaytay 10, Tounkara 8, Padrigao 7, Acido 3, Pangilinan 3, Llemit 2, Estacio 0, Danting 0, Laure 0.
Quarterscores: 16-14, 33-35, 57-50, 78-69.
