By Jun Ray Navarres
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons secured their place in the UAAP Season 87 Final Four, pulling away late from the tough challenge of Adamson University, 70-59, on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It wasn’t an easy night for UP to join their newfound rival De La Salle University in the semifinals.
All because of Falcon’s Matthew Montebon’s hot start of nine points for an early 10-3 lead which paved the way for Adamson to lead the first quarter, 20-17. However, the Fighting Maroons wouldn’t go down without a fight as they set up a 21-11 second quarter to take the lead before half time, 38-31.
The Soaring Falcons kept up with the momentum of UP to maintain the seven point gap after three periods, 55-48.
Immediately, Adamson charged with a 9-3 run in the final period, ending with AJ Fransman’s floater and Jhon Calisay’s three at the 3:48 mark to inch the Soaring Falcons within one, 57-58.
But the Fighting Maroons refused to yield.
A 12-0 blitz, fueled by the combined efforts of Mark Belmonte, Gerry Abadiano, and Quentin Millora-Brown, ignited the crowd. The crescendo came with 52.4 seconds left when Millora-Brown unleashed a thunderous one-handed dunk, propelling the Maroons to a 70-57 lead.
“For coach Gold, this is something that he’s been doing since he started coaching. For him, it’s more than just the results. It’s all about the improvement ng team and even after this win, still to improve,” said Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
The win secured UP sixth straight trip to the Final Four.
“This was a clinching semifinal game, so you know, it’s something that we’re gonna celebrate tonight, so to speak, but at the same time the goal is – the big picture, iyong papasok ng finals, giving ourselves an opportunity for that,” added Luanzon.
Veteran guard JD Cagulangan led UP with 17 points to go with three rebounds and two steals while Terrence Fortea and Belmonte delivered nine points apiece in the win.
Gani Stevens also stepped up for the Fighting Maroons with 10 points on 3-3 shooting from the field despite putting up only four points in their first eight games.
Montebon led the Falcons with 14 points and five rebounds, but his six turnovers contributed to their 28 total. Fransman chipped in 13 points and five rebounds, while Manzano added 12 points and six boards.
Images courtesy of UAAP Media Bureau
Follow the writer on X: @burnsports
