Maroons dispose of Red Warriors, close in on top seed

UP’s Francis Nnoruka

(UAAP Media Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines continues to rise in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament after blasting the University of the East Red Warriors, 70-61, Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The Fighting Maroons thus moved to within a half a game from top seeds National University Bulldogs, who are holding an 8-2 slate, as they rose to 8-3 with their fourth straight win.

The Red Warriors, on the other hand, dropped their 11th straight game this season as they remained winless.

Francis Nnoruka flexed his muscles down under with 16 points and 12 rebounds, to go with four blocks, four assists and a steal for the winning team. Sean Alter chipped in 13 markers on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting, to go with six boards in 16 minutes of play.

UP started the game waxing hot, going up by as much as 19 points in the first half, 33-14, after a Nnoruka jumper.

The Maroons turned things up a notch in the second half, taking a lead as high as 26 points, 59-33, after an and-one play by former Red Warrior Gani Stevens.

But UE tried to inch closer, slicing the lead to 14, 46-60, after consecutive shots by Tope Lagat.

Nnoruka, though, hit big shots to help keep the Red Warriors at bay.

The nine-point spread at the end of the game was the closest the Recto-based squad got to, as they dropped their 17th straight UAAP defeat dating back to last season.

Gerry Abadiano produced 10 markers for UP, along with four boards and three dimes.

Lagat powered the Red Warriors with 21 points off the bench. Wello Lingolingo chipped in 11 markers, while big man Precious Momowei was kept to just four points for UE, who got head coach Chris Gavina back from a four-game suspension.