FilOil: Huge fourth quarter propels UP past EAC

MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons built a double-digit lead near the end of halftime, only to watch it disappear in the third quarter. 

However, after Emilio Aguinaldo College took a slim lead, the Fighting Maroons went on a fantastic rally, scoring on almost every possession while limiting their opponents on defense.

And when the final buzzer sounded, the Fighting Maroons had won the game, 72-59, on Wednesday evening, May 28, to finish with a 2-4 record in their 2014 FilOil campaign, while preventing the Generals from getting their third win.

“I hope everybody could see what we’re developing – smallball,” explained UP head coach Rey Madrid after the game. “We were shooting for low 70’s, so happy kami sa pace namin,” he added about his team’s performance.

UP got 15 points from Cris Vito, who also had seven rebounds and two blocks. Dave Moralde helped out with 12 and five, while Renz Asilum put up 11 markers and four dimes.

“It’s a long-term plan, and I’m sure it’s coming along now,” added Coach Madrid about his club’s current gameplan. “Ang liit namin eh. We neutralize it with effort and pace.”

The Fighting Maroons extended its advantage to nine with a second left in the second quarter, but a buzzer-beating triple by EAC’s Sydney Onwubere gave his team something to cheer about heading into halftime. 

The Generals commenced the third period with another triple, and were within one a few minutes later. In the opening moments of the final quarter, EAC took a one-point lead, 49-48.

That’s when it happened.

UP unfurled a 21-2 run, capped of by an and-one play by Vito. During the rally, a series of jumpers from Asilum and Kyles Lao, who totaled 10 points, played a key role as well.

Ariel Aguilar led the losing side with 11 markers, while Serrano and Jan Jamon put up 10 each. 

UP had 56 rebounds to EAC’s 50, and moved the ball more by out-assisting the Generals, 14-8. The Fighting Maroons were also much more disciplined today than their opponents, committing eight less fouls (23 vs. 15).

Scores

UP: Vito 15, Moralde 12, Asilum 11, Lao 10, Reyes 7, Gallarza 6, Juruena 5, Harris 4, Darjo 2, Gamboa 0, Gonzales 0

EAC: Aguilar 11, Serrano 10, Jamon 10, Onwubere 9, Santos 6, Saludo 5, Morada 4, Aquero 2, King 2, Pascual 0, Mejos 0, Indin 0

Quarter Scoring: 11-17, 33-26, 48-47, 72-59

– Rappler.com