MANILA, Philippines – The University of the East (UE) Red Warriors emerged with another win in the season, but this time against the the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 73-64, on Sunday, October 22 at the Filoil Flying V Arena. 

The Red Warriors improve their record to 3-7 in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.

On the other hand, this loss for UP decreases the Fighting Maroons’ chances to edge out the FEU Tamaraws for a final four berth.

The Red Warriors drew first blood and earned an early 13-point lead, but Javi Gomez de Liano lifted the Fighting Maroons from the deficit with back-to-back threes. 

His brother, Juan Gomez de Liano, continued his hot scoring with a triple to open second period, and Manzo brought the game to its first tie at 21-all. The Fighting Maroons went on a 10-0 run and did a good job locking down the Red Warriors’ until there was 4:04 left in the first half. 

After the timeout, the Red Warriors fired a 15-5 run in response to the early domination of the Fighting Maroons in the second quarter. This allowed the Red Warriors to take back the lead and hold it at the half, 36-28. 

The Fighting Maroons continued to fight for the lead in the third. It was only at the 55.8 second mark of the third when Javi Gomez de Liano was able to make back-to-back buckets and a bonus FT that saw UP get ahead by one point, 47-46. 

Jason Varilla’s midrange jumper kept the Red Warriors afloat as it gave the lead back to the Red Warriors at the end of the third quarter, 48-47.

The intensity of the game fired up as UP’s starting center Ibrahim Outtara fouled out in the fourth. Although Juan Gomez de Liano’s heroics tried to salvage the Maroons, the Red Warriors continued their hot offense as the game closed out.

Pasaol recorded a double-double of 32 points and 13 rebounds, while making 2 assists to lead the Red Warriors. Mark Olayon almost registered a triple-double as his stat line showed 11 points, 10 boards and 8 assists.

The Gomez de Liano brothers came off the bench to lead the scoring for the Fighting Maroons. Juan scored 22 points, while Javi also reached a double-double of 17 points and 11 boards.

The Scores

UE (73) – Pasaol 32, Olayon 11, Derige 9, Manalang 7, Maloles 5, Varilla 4, Acuno 3, Bartolome 2, Connner 0, Gagate 0.

UP (64) – Juan Gomez de Liano 22, Javi Gomez de Liano 17, Desiderio 8, Manzo 7, Vito 4, Romero 4, Ouattara 2, Lim 0, Webb 0, Ricafort 0, Jaboneta 0.

Quarter Scores: 21-13, 36-28, 48-47, 73-64.

– Rappler.com