UP Fighting Maroons Center Malick Diouf during a match against Adamson Falcons during the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Finals at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – On their return trip to the Finals, the University of the Philippines (UP) will be fueled by something extraordinary, unprecedented in UAAP men’s basketball the pandemic has contributed to and created opportunity. for this Fighting Maroons band, which won the title twice in the same year.
The defending champions moved closer to that phenomenal goal after cornering the National University (NU) Bulldogs with a 69-61 margin of victory in the first game of their Final Four. in Section 85 on Wednesday.
“This win is very important. Back-to-back final, we have a chance to make history” said Gerry Abadiano, the defensive defender whose short side jump at the end of the fourth round sparked UP’s big run. , finish the Bulldogs.
Ateneo was also quick to knock Adamson down, winning 81-60 for a return to the Finals and another shot at the Maroons.
The Eagles may start to avoid the unfortunate footnotes to the historic Maroons chase as the best of three series kicks off Saturday.
Unlike their path to the championship last season, this time the Maroons took a quicker route to the best-of-three Grand Finals where a win could be helping UP become the only team to achieve the feat.
“It (two championships) will mean a lot to us. We worked hard for this, to make it to the Finals,” UP coach Goldwyn Monteverde said after the Maroons avoided maximizing their two-beat advantage over third-placed Bulldogs.
Malick Diouf had a stellar performance and could go away with the MVP award of the season, but the 6-foot-10 Senegalese won’t be satisfied with just winning one award. individual.
“I’m not thinking about MVP, I’m thinking about the Finals and that’s more important. This win makes us happy right now because [of the opportunity to play] go head-to-head in the Finals,” said Diouf after delivering the beautiful numbers of 17 points and 21 rebounds in an all-out, productive effort.
The Maroons finished the Bulldogs 9-0 as J.D. Cagulangan overcame it with a free throw and his three favorite corners were reminiscent of his heroic shot in the championship last season.
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On the other end, NU couldn’t buy baskets, ruining all their efforts for a long time as the Bulldogs finished without a goal in the final four minutes.
Kean Baclaan’s high curvy trio scored a 59-56 NU advantage, but the Bulldogs ultimately squandered the opportunity after missing all of their efforts from the back yard.
Zavier Lucero also contributed heavily, scoring 12 points and having 11 rebounds without Carl Tamayo, who sprained his ankle in the first inning.
Tamayo accidentally stepped on Michael Malonzo’s foot during a recovery scuffle and was led off the field with five minutes to go, his right foot sore and painful.
It reassured UP loyalists who showed up in full force at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and put the Maroons in a predicament.
“We lost Carl in the first half. He was not at 100% fitness and we responded well to the challenge given to us,” said Monteverde, who was relieved after learning that his brilliant striker could feature in the game. opening championship.
“It was a great thing that we were able to get past NU. The important thing here is, whether it’s two games or one game, we’re back in the Finals,” Monteverde said.
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