Fighting Maroons crash Red Warriors

THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons outlasted the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 84-71, in UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 17.

UP’s Paul Desiderio heated up the third quarter scoring 16 of his 28 points that almost single-handedly gave the Fighting Maroons a 25-point lead entering the final quarter.

Red Warriors Alvin Pasaol, Mark Maloles, and Clark Derige set the game on fire scoring seven points each, opening an 11-0 run against the Fighting Maroons to cap the first quarter with a nine-point lead.

UP clawed their way back with Ibraham Outtara sparking their offense with 14 points and 18 boards, seven off the offensive glass.

UE went into halftime leading against UP, 42-38.

Along with Desiderio’s career-high game, the Red Warriors only scored a total of seven points in the third quarter allowing the Fighting Maroons to extend their lead, entering the final quarter and finishing the match with a 13-point lead.

Clark Derige led UE with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Desiderio contributed 28 points and 10 rebounds.

The UP Fighting Maroons will face the De La Salle Green Archers on Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Box Scores:

UP 84 – Desiderio 28, Quattara 14, Manzo 10, Gomez de Liano Javier 9, Gomez de Liano Juan 7, Prado 7, Lim 4, Lao 3, Webb 2, Dario 0

UE 71 – Derige 21, Maloles 16, Pasaol 12, Olayon 11, Manalang 8, Cullar 3, Varilla 0, Bartolome 0, Acuno 0, Abanto 0, Armenion 0, Conner 0, Cruz 0, Gagate 0

Quarter Scores: 18-27, 38-42, 64-49, 84-71