Gerry Abadiano and Francis Nnoruka powered University of the Philippines to a 79-75 come-from-behind victory over Ateneo de Manila University, securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
To claim their sixth-straight twice-to-beat incentive, the Fighting Maroons had to overcome a 16-point deficit in the second quarter and withstand Ateneo’s late fourth-quarter surge.
“Securing the twice-to-beat advantage is big for us. Seeing the team bounce back from the first half where I believe we lacked energy, towards the second half the whole team mas nagkaroon ng energy so we just have to keep being consistent sa whatever we did nung second half,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
The win also marked the sixth consecutive victory for UP over Ateneo, reinforcing their dominance in the Battle of Katipunan.
Ateneo still led entering the fourth period, 54-48, but Abadiano and Nnoruka sparked a turnaround, driving the Fighting Maroons’ 17-6 fourth-quarter blitz to take a 65-60 lead with 4:35 remaining. The duo accounted for 15 of those 17 points, with Terrence Fortea adding the other two. Ateneo responded, cutting the deficit to two on a Kymani Ladi triple with 20.5 seconds left.
Abadiano and Reyland Torres, however, sank crucial free throws to secure the win, leaving UP with a 10-3 record and second place.
“Lagi lang sinasabi sa amin ni Coach Gold na huwag kaming tumigil. Even may challenges kami nung first half at lumamang sila ng malaki, ang nasa isip lang namin continue lang sa paglalaro, keep on pounding lang,” said Abadiano, who scored 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter alone.
Nnoruka also delivered a monster game with 17 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals. In their first-round matchup against Ateneo, an 83-69 win, he erupted for 28 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
UP now looks to sweep the second round when they face De La Salle University on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ateneo dropped to 5-7 and is now on the brink of elimination. The Blue Eagles must win their remaining games against the Adamson Soaring Falcons and De La Salle Green Archers to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
Jared Bahay led Ateneo with 21 points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Ladi contributed 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Scores:
UP (79) – Abadiano 18, Nnrouka 17, Bayla 8, Alarcon 8, Alter 7, Torres 7, Remogat 6, Stevens 6, Fortea 2, Yñiguez 0, Belmonte 0, Felicilda 0.
Ateneo (75) – Bahay 21, Ladi 17, Tuano 10, Espinosa 8, Adili 7, Escobar 6, Espina 4, Lazaro 2, Bongo 0, Lazo 0.
Quarterscores: 7-21, 29-38, 48-54, 79-75.
