UP exploded out of the gates and never looked back as the Fighting Maroons repulsed FEU to surge to solo second in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
Defending champion UP got off to a strong start and never looked back, cruising to a dominant 89-75 disposal of FEU to climb to solo second in UAAP Season 88 on Sunday, October 26, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Francis Noruka led a balanced Fighting Maroons squad with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Gani Stevens added 13, and Rey Remogat also contributed 12 markers and eight assists in the win.
The victory gave UP a 6-3 record for second place, just behind the league-leading NU Bulldogs, who sit atop the standings with a 7-2 slate.
La Salle and UST, both carrying 5-3 cards, are tied at third, followed by Adamson at 4-4, and Ateneo at 4-5.
Mo Konateh stood tall in a losing effort for FEU, finishing with 24 markers and 10 rebounds.
However, the Tamaraws fell to 3-6 and stayed in seventh.
UP seeks a third-straight win in going head-to-head with the struggling UST Growling Tigers on Wednesday, November 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, FEU aims to regain its footing in a rematch against the Adamson Soaring Falcons three days earlier at the same venue.
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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.