By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippines overcame a rocky start and crushed Adamson, 69-57, to stay perfect in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, Sept. 28.
The Fighting Maroons displayed their offensive prowess in the second half particularly in the third quarter where Terrence Fortea drilled back-to-back treys that gave them enough 63-47 cushion en route to the win.
The victory extended UP’s winning run to five games, tightening its grip of the top spot, while handing Adamson its third loss in six games.
Harold Alarcon, who dazzled in the first half, chalked up 14 points and eight rebounds while Fortea put up 13 points in a perfect 3-of-3 shooting behind the arc while hauling five boards. Quentin Millora-Brown also stepped up with a double-double performance of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Adamson exploded early with a commanding 26-9 lead in the opening frame, but failed to sustain that momentum as UP cut its deficit to just six, 33-27, at the half.
The Falcons maintained their lead until the Maroons went to a 19-3 blast to grab the 63-47 upperhand and never looked back.
Matthew Montebon and John Arthur Calisay scored 12 points apiece in a futile effort for Adamson, while Joshua Yerro, who starred the last time, had a quiet two points.
The scores:
UP (69) – Alarcon 14, Fortea 13, Millora-Brown 11, Cagulangan 9, Lopez 6, Felicilda 4, Bayla 3, Torculas 3, Belmonte 2, Briones 2, Ududo 2, Abadiano 0, Walker 0, Stevens 0.
AdU (57) – Montebon 12, Calisay 12, Erolon 8, Anabo 6, Ojarikre 6, Fransman 5, Manzano 4, Mantua 2, Yerro 2, Alexander 0, Ronzone 0, Ramos 0, Barasi 0.
Quarterscores: 9-26, 27-33, 51-46, 69-57
