KAOHSIUNG,Taiwan—The UP Fighting Maroons blew a 16-point lead and missed six free throws in the last 43.9 seconds, allowing South Korea’s Dan Kook University to escape with an 86-84 decision Sunday in the 2014 Buddha’s Light Cup University basketball tournament here.
Down by one, 84-85, in the last 43.9 seconds, the Maroons completely lost their touch from the free throw line with center Mark Juruena muffing four tries and veteran guard Henry Asilum blowing two to send UP down to its third loss in five games at the end of the weeklong event at Kaohsiung Arena here.
Had they won, the Maroons, who were preparing for the UAAP basketball wars starting this Saturday, would have arranged a winner-take-all championship with host I-Shou University.
“We fought well (in the tournament) and I’m proud of my players,” said UP team manager Dan Palami. “The exposure that we had will definitely be a plus for us in the UAAP.”
Juruena banged in 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, Mikee Reyes had 16, Asilum added 15 and JR Gallarza again contributed 10 on top of six rebounds, one block, an assist and a steal for the Maroons, the favorite whipping team in the UAAP for years.
“My players now realize that every possession, every missed shot and every lost opportunity matter in a game,” said UP head coach Rey Madrid.
The scores:
DKU 86—Choi SH 32, Ha 18, Yu 17, Choi SM 6, Hong 6, Oh 4, Park 3, Han 0.
UP 84—Juruena 17, Reyes 16, Asilum 15, Gallarza 10, Moralde 9, Bederi 6, Dario 4, Harris 3, Lao 2, Gingerich 2, Amar 0, Lim 0.
Quarters: 15-29, 45-48, 61-63, 86-84