Malick Diouf hammers one down for the Maroons. UAAP MEDIA
Two wins into the second spherical of the UAAP males’s basketball match, College of the Philippines (UP) continues to tread cautiously—even when the Combating Maroons have moved inside two wins of a return journey to the Last 4.
“You can not take groups calmly this season. You’ve respect every one in all them, so we rigorously put together for each recreation we play,’’ mentioned UP coach Goldwyn Monteverde after the defending champions chalked up their eighth win on the expense of the Adamson Falcons, 91-70, on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Enviornment.
Carl Tamayo sizzled within the third quarter because the Maroons, who’ve misplaced simply as soon as up to now this season, streaked to their fifth consecutive win to maintain a vise-like grip on the match lead.
“We deal with all groups within the UAAP equally, whether or not it’s Ateneo, UE (College of the East) or UST (College of Santo Tomas),’’ mentioned Tamayo after banging in 9 of his 18 factors within the pivotal third when the defending champion Combating Maroons reduce free for good.
The latter two groups Tamayo talked about belong within the decrease half of the standings, and of their conflict additionally on Wednesday, UE earned a lifeline by way of an 81-51 rout that additional plunged UST right into a spiral.
CJ Payawal buried 5 threes and hit all of his 17 factors within the second half nevertheless it was Luis Villegas who helped key the rout when he scored 13 of his 16 factors within the first two quarters to guide the Warriors to a 45-23 halftime unfold.
By snapping out of a three-game slide, UE collected its fourth win in 9 video games to maintain the semifinals in its sights.
“I’m so pleased with their efficiency, particularly from the fellows coming off the bench. It was a complete crew effort and it helped so much,’’ mentioned UE coach Jack Santiago after the Warriors produced 35 bench factors and 22 factors off turnovers.
In a fray
UE’s CJ Payawal throughout a recreation towards UST within the UAAP Season 85 males’s basketball match. UAAP PHOTO
The Warriors are jammed up with a pack of faculties inside a win of one another and try to crawl out of the fray. The Combating Maroons don’t have that drawback proper now, with Nationwide U operating second and a two-game wall between them.
The Bulldogs rose to second with a 78-74 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles later within the evening for his or her sixth win in 9 outings.
However UP battled Adamson like there was no tomorrow. From a slim five-point halftime benefit, the Maroons shortly scored 11 straight factors that the Falcons discovered no reply to and seized management, erasing the ghost of that slim time beyond regulation triumph throughout their first assembly.
“We aren’t actually wanting the place we’re on the standings. What’s necessary is the advance that we make towards the tip of the season,’’ mentioned Monteverde, whose Maroons face the Warriors subsequent.
Tamaraws triumph
A victory over the Warriors on Saturday and towards the Far Japanese College (FEU) Tamaraws subsequent week can be sufficient to ensure UP a semifinals look.
FEU on Wednesday rolled to its fourth straight victory after dismissing shorthanded La Salle, 57-53.
The Maroons will face La Salle, UST and Ateneo of their ultimate three assignments previous to the playoffs.
Malick Diouf scored a career-high 20 factors on seven of 11 taking pictures on high of eight rebounds and 5 steals for the Maroons, whereas exhibiting his management on the ground.
“Basketball is all about making selections, so I believe we made higher selections within the third quarter, which led to a greater offense,’’ mentioned Monteverde.
Adamson suffered a pair of casualties whereas chasing down the Maroons with Vince Magbuhos hurting his proper knee and Jerom Lastimosa spraining his proper ankle when he by accident landed on JD Cagulangan’s foot after a reverse layup.
Lastimosa completed with 19 factors earlier than he was carried off to the bench whereas Cedrick Manzano added 10 factors for the Falcons, who skidded to their fifth loss in eight outings.
Adamson solely had seven turnovers however couldn’t deflect UP’s firepower that included 40 factors from the bench.
The Falcons nonetheless have greater than only a mathematical likelihood of constructing the semifinals—barely higher odds than the Tigers, who now have misplaced seven straight matches after opening the season with a win and quite a lot of promise.
Adama Faye muscled his solution to 23 factors and 18 rebounds, however his monster numbers weren’t sufficient to tug UST out of its rut. INQ
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