Fighting Maroons bag third win; dominates the UE Red Warriors
The UP Men’s Basketball Team exhibited great resolve, continuing their onslaught toward the UAAP Season 84 crown
The UP Fighting Maroons kept their winning streak, dominating the winless UE Red Warriors on the fourth game day of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, with the final score of 81–66 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
Taking the first possession, the fighting maroons continued to run the floor well after senior player Ricci Rivero delivered three out of the four three-point shots in the first quarter, ending with a 12-point deficit.
Top scorers Zavier Lucero and Rivero who garnered 14 points each maintained their connection with a 13–2 run to keep the lead and broaden the gap to 18 points before halftime.
Hungry for the win, the Fighting Maroons flaunted a scoring machine performance led by Rivero with his signature euro step securing a 23-point lead.
With the Red Warriors trying to keep up, an offensive foul was given to Aurin Catacutan at five minutes in the third quarter which paved the way for Lucero to execute a fastbreak point, with 65–35 on the scoreboard in favor of the Fighting Maroons.
The 30-point deficit in no way changed the playing mantra of the men in maroon with RC Calimag substituted in the latter part of the third quarter, contributing to the UP squad playing his quality minutes and scoring six points, his season-high.
Fighting to cut the lead, the Red Warriors kept possession taking advantage of their working offense that diminished the 29-point lead, and eventually went down to 13 points.
Clint Escamis continued to fight back in the final five minutes of the game through a steal converted to an easy basket, trimming the lead down to 11 points.
But The Red Warriors’ comeback was not enough as Malick Diouf emphasized the Maroon’s thirst to win — breaking the UE momentum and successfully putting in four points from free throw baskets and a two-point shot that led the Fighting Maroons to victory.
Lucero led the maroon squad with 14 points and six rebounds, followed by Rivero contributing 14 points and three rebounds, CJ Cansino with 10, and 8 points from rookie player Carl Tamayo.
The UP Fighting Maroons will continue its basketball battle on Tuesday, in the SM MOA Arena against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons at 1 pm.
