Harold Alarcon took matters into his own hands, scoring 13 of UP’s 22 fourth-quarter points to propel the Fighting Maroons to a repeat victory over the No. 1 NU Bulldogs.
It was the kind of performance that reminds everyone why Harold Alarcon is a two-time UAAP champion and why UP is the reigning titleholder.
The Fighting Maroons watched nervously as their once 18-point cushion evaporated to just two early in the fourth quarter, with NU knocking and trying to steal the momentum.
And that’s the moment Alarcon seized.
The senior guard exploded for 13 of his 24 points in the final frame, helping UP stave off a late NU uprising for a solid bounce-back win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: UP continues to be a thorn on NU's side in Season 88 with rebound win]
He accounted for 12 of the Final Maroon’s final 13 points, calmly sinking four clutch free throws in the last minute while adding four assists and three rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.
Behind Alarcon, the supporting cast did their part as Reylan Torres, Terrence Fortea, and Francis Nnoruka combined for 21 points and UP’s bench outscored NU, 48-32.
This win marked the Diliman-based squad’s second triumph over NU this season, making the Maroons the only team to best the Bulldogs so far.
Smooth and Steady
With NU threatening early in the fourth, UP turned to Alarcon to steady the ship and the veteran answered the call.
"As a senior sa team, kailangan lang ng composure so ‘yun ‘yung naibigay ko sa team. Makita nila na ‘yung senior nila composed and parang hawa-hawa na ‘yan kapag ganon,” he said.
UP's Harold Alarcon defending NU's Steve Nash Enriquez in their UAAP men's basketball second-round duel | Photo: The UAAP
Coming off a tough opening-round finale loss to La Salle, UP (5-3) responded emphatically, keeping pace with the top two teams, NU (6-2) and UST (5-2).
"Gusto lang namin mag-set ng tone kasi galing kami sa talo. May mga natutunan din kami sa mistakes sa game na ‘yun [vs. La Salle] at nadala lang namin ‘yun sa game na ‘to," Alarcon added.
The Fighting Maroons now seek back-to-back wins when they face the FEU Tamaraws next on Sunday, October 26.
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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.