The University of the Philippines handed Ateneo de Manila University its first loss, 83–69, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After a tight first half which ended with a 40-38 advantage for UP, the Fighting Maroons pulled away in the second half as it outscored Ateneo, 24-11, in the third quarter before eventually holding off the Blue Eagles and hand the Katipunan-based crew its first win.
Francis Nnoruka led UP with 28 points, while Rey Remogat added 20. Harold Alarcon, on meanwhile, had 15 of his 17 points in the second quarter alone.
Shawn Tuano was the only double digit scorer for Ateneo with 17 points.
The Fighting Maroons extended their winning streak to three games, improving to 3–2.
Ateneo, meanwhile, dropped to 4–1.
Scores:
UP 83 — Nnoruka 28, Remogat 20, Alarcon 17, Yniguez 6, Stevens 6, Abadiano 3, Torres 3, Bayla 0, Fortea 0, Palanca 0, Briones 0, Alter 0.
Ateneo 69 — Tuano 17, Ladi 15, Bahay 9, Adili 8, Espinosa 7, Lazaro 6, Escobar 4, Lazo 3, Espina 0, Bongo 0, Fjellvang 0.
Quarters: 18-17, 40-38, 64-49, 83-69.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
