University of the Philippines Defeats University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 86 Basketball Tournament
In an impressive display of skill and dominance, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons secured a resounding 110-79 victory against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, October 14. The game, held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, showcased Harold Alarcon as the leading scorer with 21 points.
This win solidifies the Fighting Maroons as the only undefeated team in the league, boasting a perfect record of five wins. The margin of victory in this game was the most one-sided so far this season.
Alarcon’s outstanding performance extended beyond scoring, as he also contributed four rebounds and four assists. JD Cagulangan showcased his versatility with 16 points, two rebounds, and nine assists. Chicco Briones and Francis Lopez also made significant contributions, scoring 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Although the Fighting Maroons initially trailed 18-21 in the first quarter, they staged an impressive 35-14 run in the third quarter. This surge allowed them to establish their largest lead of the game, commanding a 37-point advantage at 107-77 with a Briones jumper. After that, the gap proved insurmountable for the struggling Growling Tigers.
Discussing their solid defensive performance, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde highlighted the pivotal role it played in their victory. “We talked about our defense. I think we played well, especially in the third quarter, which defined our game,” Monteverde explained.
Despite the loss, Nic Cabanero and Christian Manaytay put up strong numbers for UST, scoring 24 and 23 points, respectively.
The Growling Tigers now find themselves at the bottom of the standings with a winless record of 0-5 and an 18-game losing streak, adding further disappointment to their season.
