IT was a do-or-die game. Both teams inside the court were breathless, all running to claim their hopeful first victory in the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament. No matter how much they wanted it, only one team bagged their first win – and they were fighting hard for it.
Fighting Maroons then erupted in a chorus of loud cry of victory as they survived the University of the East (UE), 75-71 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“(I’m) very emotional right now. We were down three games and I’m in my final year. I believe that there is still light at the end of the tunnel,” said graduating Maroon guard Jett Manuel.
Manuel finished off with 17 points. While Paul Desiderio added a double-double record of 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Maroons.
The Warriors had a good advantage in the game, with a 19-8 rally. However, University of the Philippines (UP) made a comeback in the second quarter with a 21-0 run.
UP was scoring behind in the first half, while there was no advantage in the third.
Starting the fourth quarter with 57-58 (UP-UE), the Fighting Maroons finally led the game. With a minute left on the clock, Manuel scored for an advantage against UE, 71-69.
Despite UE’s Bonbon Batiller’s effort in blocking Prado, UE failed to convert possession of the ball.
Mark Olayon and Batiller fought hard for the Red Warriors with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
UP Coach Bo Perasol’s first post-win interview showed him beaming with pride for his players after going through four tough teams in the tournament.
“We have been practicing well all the time. The only challenge with everybody else was to transfer what we do in practice and do it in the game,” said Perasol.
UP is now on the seventh place in the UAAP standing with a 1-3 win-loss record, leaving UE at the bottom with 0-4.
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