UAAP: UP crushes UE for 2-0 start

UP Fighting Maroons’ Malick Diouf.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines sent University of the East crashing back to earth with an 84-69 rout in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Malick Diouf sustained his dominant form as he collected 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. 16 rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and two assists.

The Fighting Maroons were never really threatened by the Red Warriors, who trailed by as many as 26 early and could only manage to get within nine, 62-53, with 9:08 left.

UP quickly restored order thanks to a 12-1 run capped by Harold Alarcon, bringing the lead back to 20 midway through the final frame.

“We started out strong, which is good for us but one thing coach Gold always would emphasize ever since we started training really was to be consistent in all four quarters so that’s one thing that was lacking today, and as coaches would say back to the drawing board for us,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon speaking for Goldwin Monteverde.

“It’s always a process for us as Coach Gold would say. The start of the season doesn’t mean it’s the end of progress or earning but it’s really continuous building all throughout the next two and a half months for us.”

UP Fighting Maroons during a game against the UE Red Warriors in the first round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Diouf set the tone for UP, accounting for seven of the Fighting Maroons’ 10-0 start.

CJ Cansino scored 17 for the Maroons, who improved to 2-0 ahead of their marquee matchup against National University on Saturday at Araneta Coliseum. Francis Lopez contributed nine points, four assists, three rebounds, and two blocks,

Transferee Janjan Felicilda was scoreless but was a plus-18 in the game after dishing out eight assists on top of five rebounds, and two steals while Alarcon and Aldous Torculas chipped in eight points each.

UE, which is coming off an opening win over University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, faces Far Eastern University on Saturday at the Big Dome.

Precious Momowei paced the Red Warriors with 12 points on just 3-of-13 and 22 rebounds. Remogat had 11 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Abdul Sawat added 10 points.

The Scores:

UP 84 – Diouf 19, Cansino 17, Lopez 9, Torculas 8, Alarcon 8, Abadiano 6, Cagulangan 5, Torres 5, Briones 3, Belmonte 2, Alter 2, Felicilda 0, Pablo 0, Gonzales 0, Gagate 0. 

UE 69 – Momowei 12, Remogat 11, Sawat 10, Gilbuena 9, Fikes 8, Galang 6, Cruz-Dumont 5, Lingolingo 3, Tulabut 2, Spandonis 2, Langit 1, Manalang 0, Maglupay 0, Wilson 0. 

Quarterscores: 32-9, 49-28, 62-49, 84-69.