'Kryptonite' UP sweeps No. 1 NU in elims, journey 22-4 begin for fifth win

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Harold Alarcon and Gani Stevens hyperlink up as a lethal two-way combo as defending UAAP champion UP denies top-ranked NU a profitable comeback from 18 factors down

MANILA, Philippines – The UP Combating Maroons nailed a vital bounce-back win to begin the UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball second spherical, taking down the NU Bulldogs in an announcement 78-74 win after a 22-4 begin on the Mall of Asia Enviornment on Wednesday, October 22.

With the win, the defending champions broke free from what was as soon as a three-team tie with Ateneo and La Salle at third place with a 5-3 document, whereas top-ranked NU fell to a 6-2 card — its solely two losses coming from the lads in maroon.

It was virtually completely the Harold Alarcon present within the gritty victory with a season-high 24 factors in simply as many minutes earned by a 7-of-19 clip and 8-of-10 free throws, to go along with 4 assists and three rebounds.

Noy Remogat and Reyland Torres chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively, whereas massive man Gani Stevens made essentially the most of his 19-minute leash with 7 factors, 6 boards and a pair of essential steals — the final swipe coming a couple of ticks after the 2-minute mark of the fourth to arrange a breakaway Alarcon layup, 73-66.

From down 18 after a 22-4 UP begin, no-quit NU managed to get as close to as 3, 69-66, within the final 2:35 of regulation, earlier than Stevens and Alarcon conspired for the small game-sealing 5-0 surge to steer, 74-66, with 50 seconds left.

Constant all-around risk Jake Figueroa bounced again from a lackluster 1-point first half with 18 markers within the comeback effort to go together with his common gaudy peripheral stats of 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal.

Rising sniper Paul Francisco additionally confirmed his two-way chops with 13 factors on 4-of-9 capturing, plus 5 swipes, 2 boards and a pair of dimes, whereas burly massive PJ Palacielo bullied his solution to an 11-point outing on a 5-of-9 clip.

The Scores

UP 78 – Alarcon 24, Remogat 11, Torres 10, Stevens 7, Fortea 6, Bayla 6, Nnoruka 5, Abadiano 4, Palanca 3, Belmonte 2, Alter 0, Yniguez 0.

NU 74 – Figueroa 18, Francisco 13, Palacielo 11, Parks 7, Manansala 6, John 5, Santiago 4, Garcia 4, Padrones 4, Enriquez 2, Dela Cruz 0, Reyes 0, Solomon 0.

Quarters: 22-6, 41-29, 56-50, 78-74.

– Rappler.com