The UP Fighting Maroons leaned on newcomers Arvie Poyos and Veejay Pre to begin their season on a high note, defeating the UST Growling Tigers, 92-85, in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fighting Maroons were trailing by five points, 53-58, before Pre and Poyos took over the game, helping UP turn the deficit around as James Payosing and Sean Alter gave the Maroons a four-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, 66-62.
UP Takes Control
Poyos and Pre then opened the final frame with a quick 5-0 run to balloon their lead to nine, 71-62. From there, the Growling Tigers played catch-up but failed to complete the comeback.
“The team really worked hard for this game. Actually, the whole year naman ever since nag-start, lahat naman tumatrabaho rin. I believe that this group has its own identity din as a team and for me, whatever we faced especially in the first half, we responded well,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Francis Nnoruka led the Fighting Maroons with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Rey Remogat finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. Migs Yñiguez added 11 points, while Alter contributed 9 points.
For the Growling Tigers, Mark Llemit led the way with 19 points and 3 assists, while Amiel Acido had 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. Collins Akowe posted a double-double of 13 points and 18 rebounds.
What’s Next
The Fighting Maroons will next face their Katipunan neighbors, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, on Saturday, September 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers will take on the defending champions, the La Salle Green Archers, on Wednesday, September 16, at 5:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
