Peaking UP blasts FEU to take solo second 

Lastly discovering their groove, the UP Preventing Maroons zoom to the No. 2 spot after a gradual begin to the UAAP season

MANILA, Philippines – After a 0-2 begin to the season, the UP Preventing Maroons discover themselves in acquainted territory — within the UAAP’s prime two spots.

The Preventing Maroons zoomed to solo second after dominating the FEU Tamaraws, 89-75, for his or her second straight win within the Season 88 males’s basketball event on the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, October 26. 

The defending champions now maintain a 6-3 document, breaking away from a three-way tie at 5-3 with the La Salle Inexperienced Archers and UST Growling Tigers. 

“One factor that’s good for this recreation is that we moved the ball higher,” UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde stated, because the Maroons had 24 assists, in comparison with FEU’s 13. 

Francis Nnoruka led UP with 19 factors and 10 rebounds, whereas Gani Stevens had 14 factors, together with 6 within the closing three minutes to place away FEU. 

“Slowly, we recognized our roles in our crew, and I’m actually joyful to see that we’re bettering as a crew,” Monteverde added. 

UP additionally outscored the Tamaraws in bench factors manufacturing, 41-2. 

Down 44-31 at halftime, the Tamaraws went on a 10-3 begin within the third quarter to inch inside six, 47-41. 

The Maroons then went on a 6-0 counter run to maintain FEU at bay to tug away from there as UP fended off the Tamaraws’ late rallies en path to the win. 

Rey Remogat and Terrence Fortea additionally tallied 12 and 10 factors, respectively, for UP. 

The Tamaraws, in the meantime, dropped to 3-6 after successful their earlier two video games. 

Mo Konateh put up 24 factors on 10-of-14 taking pictures from the sphere and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes of taking part in time to tempo FEU, whereas Jorick Bautista added 22 factors on 5 made triples. 

Nevertheless, FEU star Janrey Pasaol struggled towards UP’s protection, contributing solely 6 factors on 3-of-17 taking pictures from the sphere, together with 6 assists and 5 turnovers. 

UP will take a weeklong break, going through UST subsequent on November 5 on the Mall of Asia Enviornment. FEU will return on November 2 towards the Adamson Hovering Falcons. 

The Scores

UP 89 – Nnoruka 19, Stevens 14, Remogat 12, Fortea 10, Abadiano 9, Bayla 8, Belmonte 5, Alarcon 4, Torres 2, Briones 2, Palanca 2, Alter 2, Yniguez 0. 

FEU 75 – Konateh 24, Bautista 22, Mongcopa 14, Daa 7, Pasaol 6, Owens 2, Felipe 0, Salangsang 0, Montemayor 0, Macapagal 0, Ona 0, Bagunu 0. 

Quarters: 21-12, 44-31, 65-53, 89-75.

– Rappler.com