UAAP: UP pulls away from Ateneo in second half for 2-0 start

UP Fighting Maroons’ Veejay Pre during a game vs Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

READ: UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament – first round

MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines clamped down defensively in the second half to pull away from Ateneo, 94-75, and remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-0 after following up their opening-day victory over University of Santo Tomas with another win, this time against their Katipunan rivals.

But UP had to work for it.

The Maroons held just a 57-56 lead at halftime before tightening their defense, particularly against Kieffer Alas, and taking control after the break.

“We immediately talked about our lapses on the defensive end after the first half,” UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said.

NAGPARAMDAM NA, PRE ✊

WATCH: After scoring just seven points in UP’s previous win over UST, Veejay Pre nearly tallied a double-double against Ateneo with 14 points and nine rebounds. #UAAPSeason89 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/uf4Cuxop5J

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) September 19, 2026

“We talked about what we needed to do against certain players from Ateneo and, for me, I saw how the team took the challenge and how they accepted it.”

UP responded by holding the Blue Eagles to just 10 points in the third quarter.

The Maroons also contained Alas after he scored 10 points in the first half. He finished with 13.

UP continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, with Veejay Pre’s basket at the 4:39 mark giving the Maroons a 77-61 advantage.

Pre nearly had a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Payosing led UP with 17 points.

Francis Nnoruka posted a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Rey Remogat added 14 points, including three 3-pointers.

Ateneo dropped to 1-1 despite Jared Bahay’s 17 points.