Merciless Maroons add to Red Warriors' woes

MANILA, Philippines -- The slump continues for the Red Warriors. 

University of the Philippines blasted University of the East, 101-70 in their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball clash Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

The Fighting Maroons won their fifth straight game, while the Red Warriors remained winless through their last 29 UAAP games.

Veejay Pre top-scored for UP with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Gani Stevens added 13 markers and 5 boards.

Trailing by double digits early on, the Red Warriors inched to within eight, 47-55, in the third quarter after a JM Edoukou layup.

UP hiked the lead back to 15, 62-47, before UE unleashed a 7-1 run to cut it to nine, 54-63, with 3:03 remaining in the frame. 

But the Fighting Maroons found a higher gear, breaking the game wide open with a 24-7 run, 87-61, after a triple by Sean Franco.

From that point, it was all UP as they took a lead as high as 34 points.

Migs Palanca produced 12 points and four rebounds off the bench in the win. Elliot Dimaculangan and Dikachi Ududo had nine points apiece.

Toper Lagat carried the offense once again for UE with 23 points and two rebounds, while Mo Tanedo was the only other double digit scorer with 11. 

UP rose to 9-2 in the standings, good for solo first, while UE dropped to 0-9.