The Fighting Maroons have won five of their last six games, improving to 6-3 and sitting just a game behind league-leading National University Bulldogs, who are 7-2.
Trailing by 13 at halftime, the Tamaraws came out of the break determined, opening the third quarter with a 10-3 run to cut the deficit to six, 41-47.
But the Fighting Maroons responded, with Gani Stevens, Harold Alarcon, and Chicco Briones leading a surge that established a 15-point lead with 2:47 left in the third, 61-46.
FEU tried to fight back and chip away at the lead, but the Tamaraws could not break the nine-point barrier until the final minute, as UP consistently answered every run.
“We really prepared for FEU and one thing for this game, we moved the ball better as a team and slowly, naa-identify ng bawat isa ‘yung role sa team namin and I’m really happy to see that we’re improving and growing as a team,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde, whose team recorded 24 assists compared to FEU’s 15.
(“We really prepared for FEU, and one thing we did well in this game was moving the ball better as a team. Everyone is slowly understanding their role, and I’m really happy to see that we’re improving and growing together.”)
Nigerian center Francis Nnoruka was efficient in his 23 minutes, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Stevens added 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting as UP dominated in the paint, 48-32.
Rey Remogat contributed 12 points and eight assists, while Terrence Fortea added 10 points. Jacob Bayla delivered an all-around performance with eight points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a block—all without a turnover.
“Very valuable for us (si Jacob). We always give importance sa ganyan eh, ‘yung being able to fulfill ‘yung role niya sa team and being able to play both ends,” said Monteverde.
(“Jacob is really valuable for us. We always stress the importance of players being able to fulfill their roles on the team and contribute on both ends of the court.”)
UP will look to continue its run on Nov. 5 against University of Santo Tomas at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, the Tamaraws saw their two-game winning streak snapped, dropping to 3-6 and seventh place. They will aim to bounce back next Sunday against Adamson University at the same venue.
Gambian big man Mo Konateh led FEU with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and two assists in a no-relief effort.
Jorick Bautista and Kirby Mongopa added 22 and 14 points, respectively, but Janrey Pasaol was limited to just six points on 3-of-17 shooting. He did record six assists, four rebounds, and two steals, but also committed five turnovers.
The Scores:
UP (89) – Nnoruka 19, Stevens 14, Remogat 12, Fortea 10, Abadiano 9, Bayla 8, Belmonte 5, Alarcon 4, Torres 2, Briones 2, Palanca 2, Alter 2, Yniguez 0.
FEU (75) – Konateh 24, Bautista 22, Mongcopa 14, Daa 7, Pasaol 6, Owens 2, Felipe 0, Salangsang 0, Montemayor 0, Macapagal 0, Ona 0, Bagunu 0.
Quarterscores: 21-12, 44-31, 65-53, 89-75
