Fighting Maroons knock out Bulldogs
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons outlasted the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 106-81, in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament on Nov. 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fighting Maroons carried a massive second half with a demanding lead of 24 points by the third canto, 84-60, spelling the end of the season for the Bulldogs.
UP guard Paul Desiderio drives past three NU defenders towards the basket. Photo by Arvin Lim of ABS-CBN Sports.
UP had an 8-5 start, and kept their lead as far away from NU's reach as possible.
UP Paul Desiderio led the Fighting Maroons with game-high 30 points, while Ibrahim Ouattara added a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds to steal the victory away from the Bulldogs. Issa Gaye's own double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds to power NU fell short as Ouattara's performance was further powered with a double-double from the Gomez de Liano brothers: 22 points and 13 rebounds from Juan, and 17 markers and 10 boards from Javi.
UP's win raised them to a 6-8 slate to no avail as the Far Eastern University Tamaraws secured the last spot in the final four when they won against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
Box scores: UP 106 – Desiderio 30, Gomez de Liano Ju 22, Gomez de Liano Ja 17, Manzo 14, Ouattara 12, Webb 3, Lim 2, Harris 2, Ricafort 2, Romero 2, Prado 0, Jaboneta 0 NU 81 – Gaye 25, Alejandro 16, Joson 7, Salem 7, Tibayan 7, Mosqueda 4, Bartlett 4, Diputado 3, Cauilan 3, Aquino 3, Morido 2, Yu 0, Abatayo 0, Lastimosa 0, Flores 0, Rangel 0
Quarter scores:
34-21, 58-45, 84-60, 106-81