UP lynches NU Bulldogs 71-66 for its 4th win — and in active bid for the Final Four #universityofthephilippines #UPDiliman

The UP Fighting Maroons lynch the NU Bulldogs 71-66, keeping it in the running for the Final Four contenders for the crown.

From interaksyon.com:

“UP sends NU to 6th straight loss, boosts Final 4 bid

“The UP Fighting Maroons dropped an explosive 15-0 run to thump the skidding NU Bulldogs, 71-66, and stay in the final four race of UAAP Season 79 Wednesday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

“With the win, the Fighting Maroons boosted their final four bid. Now at 4-8, State U tied NU for fifth place and moved just two games behind No.4 Adamson Falcons (5-5).

“Jett Manuel finished with 19 points while Gelo Vito added 15 markers. Javi Gomez De Liano chipped in 13 points as Paul Desiderio tallied 11 points and 13 boards to help UP send NU to its sixth straight loss of the season.

“The Fighting Maroons trailed by 12 points, 31-19, in the second quarter but had a strong finishing kick to end the first half by scoring 10 unanswered points that trimmed their deficit to two points at the half.

“UP continued its roll in the third quarter, with Vito burying a triple to complete a 15-0 run that gave the lead back to State U, 34-31.

“UP stretched its lead to nine points, 54-45, in the fourth quarter but NU came to within three after two straight unsportsmanlike fouls by the Fighting Maroons.

“But the Fighting Maroons kept their poise, going on a 12-1 run to build a 66-52 lead with 3:40 left which was enough to fend off the Bulldogs.”

UP drowns Adamson 70-66 #UPFight Happening now: UP Fighting Maroons & d winning crowd sing the UP hymn #taaskamao as victors

UP drowns Adamson 70-66 at the UAAP men’s basketball.

The UP Fighting Maroons rained down on the Adamson Falcons 70-66 at this afternoon’s UAAP basketball, in a 3-win streak so far this season.

From interkasyon.com: “The inspired UP Fighting Maroons built their first winning streak of the season after dispatching the Adamson Falcons, 70-66, in UAAP Season 79 action Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“The victory came right after the Fighting Maroons upset Ateneo last Saturday. UP improved to 3-6 to move up to sixth place, just behind Final Four contenders NU (4-4), Ateneo (4-4) and Adamson (4-5).

(blog admin’s note: Bakit yung Final Four ng interaksyon, tatlo lang —- Pang-apat na ba ang UP? Yey!!!!! Bonfire! Bonfire! Bonfire! … nvm, don’t mind me.)

“The Fighting Maroons already matched their total number of wins last season with still five games left on their schedule.

“Paul Desiderio and Jett Manuel each scored 16 points and six rebounds, while rookie Javi Gomez De Liano came up with a huge outing of 13 points, six rebounds and two steals.

“UP started slow and trailed 20-9 after the opening quarter.

“A big 10-2 run fueled by Gelo Vito however helped State U steal the lead at the half, 30-29.

“Gomez De Liano scored five straight points to open the third quarter as UP zoomed to a 45-35 cushion.

“The Fighting Maroons enjoyed their biggest lead at 11 points, 65-54, in the fourth quarter after a Gomez De Liano triple.

“The Falcons had one last fightback as they scored seven unanswered points to pull within four points, 65-61, with 1:16 left.

(screenshot of interaksyon page, used here non-commercially for academic purposes)

“But UP had enough guns to fend off Adamson. Desiderio pulled up for a jumper and, after Adamson made free throws, Jett Manuel drained a tough fadeaway jumper from the baseline with 25.2 seconds left to keep the Fighting Maroons afloat.”