Harold Alarcon ‘stays in the moment’ as late-game hero for UP Fighting Maroons vs UST

Veteran guard Harold Alarcon played the role of late-game hero for the UP Fighting Maroons as he took over in the clutch to help escape the UST Growling Tigers, 89-88, in a win that raised them to solo second in UAAP Season 88 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Alarcon, playing in his final year for the Fighting Maroons, scored eight of his 22 points in the pivotal fourth quarter and drilled the go-ahead basket with 24 seconds left in the ball game to pull UP ahead.

In the cardiac affair, Alarcon went back-and-forth with UST ace rookie Collins Akowe.

[RELATED: UAAP: UP holds off UST to solidify solo second in Season 88]

Akowe, who finished with 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting along with 16 points for the double-double, was the go-to scorer for the Growling Tigers especially in late game moments.

After the match, Alarcon said that it was all about tapping into what he knows about himself and what he can do as he calmly took his shots with the game on the line time and time again, much to the chagrin of the Growling Tigers.

“Actually, parang sa five years ko sa college, experience talaga siya sakin. All throughout my career, marami rin akong na-experience sa UAAP. Kumbaga, 'yung composure ko nanatili dun eh. Dun sa mga clutch moments na ganon na sinasabi natin. Parang if you experience it kasi, mafi-feel mo eh, mafi-feel mo talaga 'yung 'di ka na kinakabahan, 'di ka na nagmamadali,” Alarcon said. 

“Nasa present moment ka lang nakikita mo lahat, slow-mo lang gano'n.”

The Fighting Maroons were down 87-88 after a pair of Amiel Acido freebies towed the Growling Tigers ahead late.

But Alarcon wasn’t about to be denied as he zoomed past Mark Llemit to complete the winning basket.

Apart from his 22-point outburst, Alarcon also had five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Noy Remogat also had himself a night with 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Noy Remogat was also among big contributors for UP with 19 points. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports

‘Heat of the moment’ decisions

Of course, cardiac finishes aren’t too rare for the Fighting Maroons who have been known for exciting endgames where the Fighting Maroons often prevailed with clutch makes with the game on the line.

Up until last season, the player mostly in charge of that role late in the ballgame was former skipper JD Cagulangan. With Cagulangan already off to South Korea in the pros, Alarcon has stepped up in his stead.

But there wasn’t really any taking of credit on the part of Alarcon.

Rather, it all depends on who’s got the hot hand, and it just so happens that it belonged to him during their crucial matchup against UST.

“Sa team naman namin, kung sino mainit dun naman ibibigay kumbaga, basa basa nalang din. Parang heat of the moment, dun ka nalang magbe-base kung kanino mo ibibigay 'yung bola,” he said.

It’ll still be a long way for the Fighting Maroons this Season 88, though, if they aim to repeat as champions.

Up next for UP is a desperate UE Red Warriors squad that is still searching for its first win of the season. UP battles UE on Saturday, November 8, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.

Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.