Maroons escape Tigers to seal UAAP finals return
MANILA, Philippines — The defending champions are off to the UAAP men’s basketball finals once again.
The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons nipped the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in a cardiac finish, 82-81, in their Season 88 Final Four matchup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The Maroons thus punched their ticket to their fifth straight finals appearance.
Harold Alarcon powered UP with 22 points, two rebounds and an assist, while Francis Nnoruka had 19 markers and nine boards, along with three blocks.
But the biggest shot of the night came from Terrence Fortea.
With UST leading by two, 81-79, after a Forthsky Padrigao floater, UP gained possession after the graduating guard missed a layup.
The Diliman-based cagers then pushed the ball to the other end, and Reyland Torres found the trailing Fortea, who locked and loaded from deep, hitting the bottom of the net as the crowd erupted.
On the other end, Nic Cabanero was blocked. UST then forced a missed shot from Alarcon, giving the Tigers a final opportunity to go for the win.
Cabanero then posted up and attempted a fadeaway. He missed, and Alarcon pushed the ball and tried to melt the clock.
The UP star hoisted the ball to Gani Stevens, who seemingly tipped the ball over the backcourt. It was unclear, though, if another Maroon touched the ball, giving the Diliman-based squad the victory as the time expired.
UST started the game searing hot, going up 11-0. But the Maroons strung together 21 straight points to go up 21-11, a lead they rode until the Espana-based squad regained it, 55-54, after a Cabanero and-one.
This then led to a nip-and-tuck ballgame. UP led by four, 70-66, before an 8-0 run capped by Amiel Acido’s four-point play gave the Tigers a 74-70 separation.
But the Maroons clawed out of the hole, finalized with Fortea’s triple.
Rey Remogat also produced nine points, four rebounds and four assists for UP, while Fortea and Gerry Abadiano added eight points each.
Cabanero left everything on the floor in his final UAAP game with 24 points, three rebounds and three assists on 8-of-19 shooting. Gelo Crisostomo backstopped with 15 markers and seven boards, while Collins Akowe had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
UP will be taking on the winner between the National University Bulldogs and the La Salle Green Archers on Saturday, 3:30 p.m., at the same venue.
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