Final Four-bound UP downs Ateneo, boosts twice-to-beat berth

The University of the Philippines completed a commanding elimination round sweep of Ateneo de Manila University, 75-47, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday night. 

Like clockwork, the Fighting Maroons boosted their twice-to-beat berth as they bucked a slow start to climb 9-1 in the standings. 

Francis Lopez turned in a game-high 20 points in an efficient 7-of-9 shooting clip and grabbed five rebounds. 

Quentin Millora-Brown, for his part, came through with an 11-pointing, 10-rebound double-double performance to make his quality minutes matter. 

UP, the better side in their past four Battle of Katipunan, opened the second half with a telling 15-0 blitz capped by Millora-Brown’s huge and-1 play for a 54-28 advantage before Andrew Bongo finally halted the onslaught with a triple. 

However, hardly nothing ever mattered at that point as the Fighting Maroons continued to stretch their lead to 30, 75-45, in the final minute of the match. 

Chris Koon, who opened the game with a booming triple, finished with only nine points.

Meanwhile, once semifinal contenders Blue Eagles slipped further to 3-8 under Tab Baldwin’s worst record in the league.

Scores:

UP 75 – Lopez 20, Millora-Brown 11, Bayla 7, Torres 7, Stevens 7, Abadiano 6, Belmonte 5, Fortea 5, Alarcon 4, Cagulangan 2, Felicilda 0, Ududo 0, Briones 0, Torculas 0, Alter 0, Walker 0.

Ateneo 47 – Koon 9, Tuano 8, Bongo 7, Bahay 6, Porter 4, Balogun 4, Espina 3, Espinosa 2, Lazaro 2, Dela Cruz 2, Asoro 0, Quitevis 0, Reyes 0, Gamber 0, Edu 0.

Quarters: 17-15, 39-28, 66-40, 75-47.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News