By NIKOLE JAVIER
University of the Philippines clinched the No. 1 seed and the twice-to-beat bonus after a 79-57 blowout of National University at the close of the of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament elimination round on Sunday], Nov. 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In beating the Bulldogs, the Maroons claimed their first-ever top seed in the Final Four era with a 12-2 record heading into the semifinals.
UP’s win, also paved the for La Salle to secure the No. 2 seed and the other semis incentive with its 11-3 record while NU slipped to No. 3 with a 10-4 mark.
The No. 4 team will be known Wednesday after the playoff match between defending champion Ateneo and Adamson.
The Falcons forged a playoff with the Eagles after edging the University of the East Warriors, 63-61.
Both Ateneo and Adamson finished with similar 7-7 records.
Rookie of the Year frontrunner Francis Lopez showed the way for UP with a team-high 13 points highlighted by a 5-of-8 shooting from the inside.
Reigning MVP Malick Diouf and graduating CJ Cansino finished with 10 points each, underscoring the team’s balance depth.
The Maroons were dominant from the start to end their elimination campaign on high note.
Jake Figueroa’s double-double outing of 15 points and 10 rebounds paced the Bulldogs on the losing end.
The scores:
UP 79 – Lopez 13, Diouf 11, Cansino 11, Felicilda 9, Torculas 7, Cagulangan 6, Gonzales 6, Alarcon 4, Pablo 4, Belmonte 3, Torres 3, Briones 2, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0, Alter 0, Gagate 0.
NU 57 – Figueroa 15, Manansala 10, John 7, Yu 6, Baclaan 3, Yu 3, Malonzo 2, Enriquez 2, Jumamoy 2, Palacielo 2, Gulapa 2, Padrones 0, Parks 0, Galinato 0, Delos Reyes 0.
Quarters: 23-13, 42-30, 58-45, 79-57.
