KAOHSIUNG CITY—Renmin University of China, with its quick-footed big men also firing three-pointers with ease, overwhelmed the UP Fighting Maroons, 77-62, Saturday in the 2014 Buddha’s Light Cup University basketball tournament here.
The Maroons stayed within striking distance three-fourths of the way, battling for every possession and engaging the Chinese in a shootfest before a scoring drought hit them early in the final period.
The Chinese stepped up the pressure in a five-minute span behind 6-foot-8 Guo Zhi Hou and Zung Han Ja and speedy guard Chung Po Wen and boosted their 63-52 advantage to a 21-point bubble late in the game.
“There’s no team like this (Renmin University) in the UAAP. They’re not only big, they’re fast, agile and can shoot threes,” said UP coach Rey Madrid.
Despite their handicap in size, Mikee Reyes, Dave Moralde, Henry Asilum and Diego Dario kept the Chinese on their toes along with frontliners Darwish Bederi, Andrew Harris, JR Gallarza and Mark Juruena.
The scores:
RENMIN U 77—Gou 22, Zung 15, Chung 9, Zung H. 8, Chang 6, Wang 6, Lee M. 6, Lee G. 3, Gou Z. 2.
UP 62—Reyes 16, Moralde 13, Gallarza 7, Juruena 7, Lao 6, Bederi 4, Asilum 3, Gingerich 2, Dario 2, Harris 2.
Quarters: 18-9, 41-30, 63-48, 77-62.