The UP Fighting Maroons rallied from 16 points down en route to a big win over rival Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball.
University of the Philippines shook off a slow start to overturn Ateneo, 79-75, and seal the twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay Wednesday, Nov. 19.
The Fighting Maroons trailed by as much as 16 points after a slow start saw them cough up just seven points in the first quarter.
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Gerry Abadiano caught fire nearing the halfway mark of the fourth, scoring six straight points to give UP its first taste of the lead, 60-58, with 6:15 left in the game.
Kymani Ladi drilled a triple at the 20.5 mark for the Blue Eagles to threaten at 74-76, Abadiano calmly made two free throws to put some breathing space between the two teams.
UP thus improved to 10-3, assuring itself of a Top Two finish alongside pacesetting National University (11-2).
Meanwhile, Ateneo dropped to 5-7 for a tie at sixth with Far Eastern U.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter 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.