UP Fighting Maroons’ Quentin Millora-Brown in a game against FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–University of the Philippines cruised to a fourth consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament by tormenting Far Eastern University, 69-58, on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Quentin Millora-Brown made a difference as early as the first half to help UP to a 17-point edge that dictated how the rest of the game went.
“Our game plan was to try to attack from the start, not really [only] attack offensively [but also] defensively and I think that we did that at the start, especially the second quarter [by] holding them to seven,” Millora-Brown said.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball
“We really executed the defensive game plan which let us run out on the offense better and I think that we need to focus on that second quarter and play more like that every game, every time.”
He finished with 11 points that went with 13 rebounds. Francis Lopez added 13 points for the Maroons to remain unbeaten in four games.
Janjan Felicilda made the most of his extended playing minutes with nine points as coach Goldwin Monteverde maximized his deep roster. JD Cagulangan and Harold Alarcon did not need to put too much effort and combined for only 13 points.
READ: UAAP: Mark Belmonte breakout game highlights UP roster depth
“One thing that coach Gold would always remind the players is yung consistency namin so consistency in a game would apply to all four quarters,” assistant coach Christian Luanzon said after the Maroons relaxed in the final frame that allowed the Tamaraws to have their best stretch.
UP Fighting Maroons’ Francis Lopez during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“The time inside doesn’t make any difference, what makes the difference is the impact on the core regardless of how long or how short they played. What’s important in our team is that everybody’s on the same page in terms of having the same goal and obviously that goal is putting ourselves in the best position to win,” Luanzon said.
Even with a 14-0 run down the stretch, Far Eastern was already buried way too deep. Adam Nakai caught fire with Veejay Pre and Mohamed Konateh trying to stoke the fire.
READ: UAAP: UP thrashes NU for 3-0 start in men’s basketball
Pre nailed a jumper before Nakai completed a four-point play, 69-53, with UP committing consecutive unforced errors. Nakai hit another triple from the corner and Konateh sank both of his free throws but all that effort was for naught as the Maroons already built a 69-44 advantage, the most of the game.
Nakai paced the Tamaraws with 12 points, Jorick Bautista 11 and seven rebounds and Pre 10 points as FEU dropped its fourth consecutive game in as many games under new coach Sean Chambers.
University of the Philippines’ Quentin Millora-Brown and assistant coach Christian Luanzon after win over FEU. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/cNsJn3b2Z8
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) September 22, 2024
“I think we’re playing well but we just need to double down on our mentality of coming every day to practice that we’re gonna be improving, getting better and just try to reach the next level,” Millora-Brown told the Inquirer in a separate interview.
The Maroons will shoot for a fifth win against Adamson next Saturday, Sept. 28, still at MOA Arena.