The UP Fighting Maroons have now beaten NU in four of their last meetings, completing a UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball sweep of the no. 1 Bulldogs for a strong bounce-back victory.
So nice, UP had to do it twice against NU.
The Fighting Maroons proved once again that they have Bulldogs' number, remaining as the only team so far to topple the league-leaders after a 78-74 Round 2 victory in the UAAP men’s basketball play, Wednesday Oct. 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
What was once a comfortable 18-point lead nearly vanished as Jake Figueroa’s drive pulled NU within two, 57-55, early in the fourth.
But UP refused to crumble, firing back with an 8-2 surge capped by Harold Alarcon’s steady finish that stretched the lead back to 65-57 with 5:45 left.
From there, the Fighting Maroons tightened their grip and kept the Bulldogs at bay to secure solo third at 5-3.
Harold Alarcon came off the bench to drop a team-high 24 points, while Rey Remogat and Reyland Torres chipped in a combined 21 markers to seal the statement win.
Despite Jake Figueroa’s 18-point effort, head coach Jefff Napa and his squad couldn’t complete the comeback, slipping to 6-2 but staying atop the standings.
UP guns for back-to-back wins in facing FEU on Sunday, Oct. 26 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Meanwhile, NU hopes for a quick rebound as a struggling Ateneo side stands its way.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.