Malik Diouf (proper) typifies the unforgiving protection the Maroons threw on Omar John and the Bulldogs.—UAAP PHOTO
College of the Philippines (UP) suffered an unsightly gash when Nationwide College (NU) inflicted the defending champions their solely defeat within the first spherical.
However greater than exacting revenge in a 75-63 win over the Bulldogs on Sunday night time for a agency grip of the lead, the Preventing Maroons inched nearer to their final objective of retaining the optimum prize in UAAP males’s basketball.
“Actually, it’s not about NU. We simply talked about opening the second spherical sturdy, gathering as many wins as we may to enter the Ultimate 4 and get that shot once more within the Finals,’’ mentioned UP coach Goldwyn Monteverde.
Cyril Gonzales was in a zone and Zavier Lucero discovered his vary because the Maroons picked up a fourth consecutive victory, their seventh total in eight video games in entrance of a delighted UP crowd at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.
“We deal with each sport the identical approach. So for me, this win will get us nearer to our objective,’’ mentioned Monteverde.
One hurdle down
It additionally eliminated a harmful hurdle within the Bulldogs, not less than within the second spherical, because the Maroons are actually enjoying at full energy with wholesome starters JD Cagulangan and Carl Tamayo, whose back-to-back jumpers within the ultimate two minutes prevented an NU fightback.
Gonzales turned up his offense this time because the defense-oriented guard delivered 12 of his 15 factors within the fourth quarter highlighted by an enormous dagger of a 3 with 47.3 seconds left that pierced by the hearts of the Bulldogs.
“I simply did what I needed to do. My offense was only a bonus,’’ mentioned Gonzales, who solely scored a complete of 9 factors in his first six video games.
Lucero nailed 5 threes and completed with 16 factors for the Maroons, who face Adamson subsequent on Wednesday.
“It was a workforce effort and a step in the best route. I’ll simply do my greatest on a regular basis, we’ve the very best file within the league,’’ mentioned Lucero.
James Spencer’s layup off a break pushed them forward, 64-63, and the Maroons by no means seemed again because the Bulldogs fell into an array of undesirable miscues down the stretch.
Michael Malonzo had 12 factors and Steve Enriquez added 11 for the Bulldogs, who dropped to 5-3 after turning over the ball 4 occasions within the closing minutes.
“We performed for half-hour, this sport was performed for 40. They dictated the sport and people turnovers had been essential over the past stretch,’’ mentioned NU coach Jeff Napa.
Far Japanese College (FEU) scaled the heights of a deep gap and turned again College of the East, 75-68, within the different sport.
Down by 15 within the first half, the Tamaraws remodeled the deficit right into a 14-point benefit constructed on the well timed hits coming from Xyrus Torres, Bryan Sajonia and L-Jay Gonzales whereas forcing the Warriors right into a maze of pricey turnovers on the opposite finish.
One thing constructive for NU
Torres had six threes and 5 steals to complete with 22 factors, and Patrick Tchuente chipped in 13 factors and 11 rebounds, his uncontested two-handed slam within the ultimate minute capping FEU’s third win in a row after a 0-5 begin.
In the meantime, the Girl Bulldogs gave the Nationwide College devoted one thing to smile about after dominating the Girl Maroons, 95-68, that stretched their unprecedented successful streak to 104 video games.
The Girl Bulldogs shot 13-of-26 from the road and gave up 21 simple factors to the Preventing Maroons off their 29 miscues, however they remained unstoppable, main as many as 64-28 early within the third quarter and by no means wanting again.
Tin Cayabyab led NU with 17 factors, 5 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Camille Clarin had 13 factors, whereas Karl Pingol chipped in 11 factors and led her workforce in steals, proudly owning 5 of their 17. INQ
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