This is the biggest winning margin in the UAAP Finals in the Final Four era.
'Daaamn boi!’
Harold Alarcon’s favorite English phrase perfectly describe how the UP Fighting Maroons dominated the La Salle Green Archers, 97-67, to take Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After a frantic first quarter, the Fighting Maroons turned on the jets to wax the Green Archers, who were coming into the match with a nine-game winning streak.
UP also limited La Salle to one of its worst three-point shooting perfomances in Season 86 with a 2-for-23 clip from beyond the arc.
The Green Archers also committed 18 turnovers in the game, which led to 24 points off turnovers for the Fighting Maroons.
The 30-point victory was the biggest winning margin in the UAAP Finals in the Final Four era.
Harold Alarcon led the way for UP with 21 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Francis Lopez had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
But even after the dominant win, the Fighting Maroons already are readying themselves to prepare for Game 2.
“Hindi pa ito ‘yung puwede magsaya, hindi pa tapos ‘yung laban. Siguro after nito para mag-focus na sa next game,” Alarcon said during the postgame press conference.
The same sentiment was shared by coach Goldwin Monteverde, who admitted some adjustments they will need to do for the next game.
“We’re gonna work on pa rin on what needs to be worked on. Aware naman kami na kahit patapos na ‘yung season, wala kaming matutunan,” said Monteverde. “Even from a win, I’m sure may mga lapses na kailangan pag-tuunan ng pansin.”
UP will gun for its second championship in three seasons in Game 2, which is set on Sunday, December 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(MDB)