21 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – Reigning Rookie of the Year Juan Gomez De Liano paved the way for University of the Philippines as they thrashed University of the East, 94-81, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Juan GDL finished the game with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, the first triple-double in 12 years, after UP’s Marvin Cruz finished with 22 markers, 11 boards and 10 assists in 2006.
Thanks to GDL’s big output in the game, the Fighting Maroons snapped a two-game losing skid and improved to a 4-5 win-loss record, along with University of Santo Tomas in the team standings.
Down three points in the first half, 41-44, Diego Dario stepped up for UP to help Bright Akhuetie on the floor.
Diego shot 10 points to boost UP for a 17-2 run in the payoff period and drilled two triples along the way to give the Fighting Maroons an 80-64 cushion in the game.
Alvin Pasaol kept scoring baskets for UE, but it was not enough to stop UP from cruising into victory.
Leading MVP candidate Akhuetie topped the Fighting Maroons with a double-double record of 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Paul Desiderio chipped in 16 points.
Dario had his season-high 13 points in the win.
On the other hand, Pasaol once again led UE with 30 points and nine rebounds, but it was not enough as they dropped to their fourth consecutive loss and settled with a 1-8 slate in the tournament.
The Scores:
UP 94 – Akhuetie 28, Desiderio 16, Gomez de Liano 15, Dario 13, Manzo 6, Vito 5, Jaboneta 3, Lim 3, Prado 3, Murrell 2, Longa 0, Tungcab 0, Gozum 0
UE 81 – Pasaol 30, Manalang 15, Conner 12, Varilla 10, Beltran 4, Cullar 3, Antiporda 3, Strait 2, Bartolome 2, Acuno 0, Guion 0
QUARTERSCORES: 19-20, 41-44, 63-60, 94-81.
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