The UP Fighting Maroons are now winners of four straight games and are on the cusp of making it to the UAAP Season 88 Final Four.
The UP Fighting Maroons are now one win away from sealing their place in the Final Four after dismantling the listless UE Red Warriors, 70-61, in their second round encounter in UAAP Season 88 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday.
Sean Alter played his best game for UP to propel a strong start where he led the Fighting Maroons’ push en route to a 19-8 start at the end of the first quarter.
The Fighting Maroons ended the first quarter on a 19-5 run after going down early 0-3, which was the only time that UE led throughout the match. The Fighting Maroons led by as much as 26 points which they achieved in the 3rd quarter after an and-one from former UE big man Gani Stevens.
All 16 players saw action for head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Alter finished with 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting along with six rebounds, one assist, and two blocks to pace UP's resounding start to send UE reeling to their 17th straight loss stemming from the second round last season.
Francis Nnoruka added an all-around game with 16 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and a steal.
Toper Magat was the topscorer for UE even as he struggled from the field with a career-high 21 points on 7-of-19 shooting. John Abate did not see action as well for the Red Warriors, further souring their struggles.
UP thus improves to 8-3 and are one win away from sealing a Final Four berth. UE, meanwhile, are sent reeling to 0-11 in the season and continue to lose even as head coach Chris Gavina returned from his four-game suspension.
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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.