Mark Belmonte cheered on by his teammates after starring in the UP Fighting Maroons’ latest win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines crushed National University, 89-62, to stay unbeaten in three games in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mark Belmonte brought out his best game for the Fighting Maroons, who tied idle defending champion La Salle at the top of the ladder, as he led the balanced attack with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in just 15 minutes of action of the most lopsided win of the season so far.
Belmonte set the tone for UP’s dominance, scoring 12 points in the first half, where the team led as many as 31 points with Francis Lopez sinking a layup for a 53-22 spread with 50 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
“It’s all about our team talking and figuring out how we’ll bounce back, because our last game didn’t end well,” said Belmonte. “We just stayed consistent until the game was over.”
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
The Fighting Maroons showed no mercy in the second half as they tallied the biggest lead of the match at 39, 76-37, after Harold Alarcon’s triple/.
JD Cagulangan sustained his fine play with 13 points and four assists. Lopez and Quentin Millora-Brown had eight points each and grabbed five and four rebounds, respectively. Gerry Abadiano added seven points and three assists.
Aldous Torculas returned from injury with six points, highlighted by a breakaway slam in the fourth for a 70-35 spread, while Dikachi Ududo had six points and six rebounds.
READ: UAAP: JD Cagulangan, UP eye consistency amid unbeaten start
UP Fighting Maroons’ Francis Lopez during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Definitely much better than the last game. Coach Gold always emphasizes improvement, and that also involves how the players respond,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon, speaking on behalf of head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
“After our game last weekend, we had the chance to improve by reviewing film, not only of our games but also of NU’s. It’s all about the players’ response, and today they responded well, even in practices. Hopefully, this continues.”
UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon and Mark Belmonte after routing NU. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/7r1Cm8k4uV
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 18, 2024
UP guns for its fourth win against Far Eastern University on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena while NU dropped to a 1-2 record and looks to bounce back on Saturday against the University of Santo Tomas at the Big Dome.
Jake Figueroa was the lone Bulldog to score in double figures with 11 points but struggled with 3-of-11 shooting Jolo Manansala had nine points and 10 rebounds.
The Scores:
UP 89 – Belmonte 14, Cagulangan 13, Millora-Brown 8, Lopez 8, Abadiano 7, Ududo 6, Torculas 6, Felicilda 6, Fortea 5, Bayla 4, Alter 4, Alarcon 3, Briones 3, Torres 2, Walker 0, Stevens 0.
NU 62 – Figueroa 11, Manansala 9, Garcia 6, Jumamoy 6, Enriquez 5, Yu 5, Santiago 4, Francisco 4, Perciano 4, Tulabut 4, Palacielo 2, Padrones 2, Lim 0, Parks 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 29-14, 53-26, 76-41, 89-62.