UP ends yearlong drought in style, humbles NU Bulldogs
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THE University of the Philippines community came to the Big Dome to show its pride and passion. Little did it know that there will be something more to celebrate than just being this season’s hosts.
It was indeed a day to remember for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons as they clinched their first victory in over a year at the expense of the National University Bulldogs, 86-72, in the 71st University Athletic Association of the Philippines seniors tournament at the Araneta Coliseum last July 6, 2008.
“More than just what I feel, I think about the feelings of these players,� UP’s newly appointed coach, Aboy Castro, said after the game “It was their first win in 23 months.�
Swingman Martin Reyes paced the victors with 21 points, including four 3-pointers, while veteran big man Jay Agbayani and a much-improved Andrew Marfori also pitched in with 11 points apiece.
“Today maybe was Martin’s day. Lucky for us that it happened today,� said Castro, who took over from Joe Lipa.
Hardworking point guard Jay Jahnke tallied 17 points while Raymond Aguilar and Jesse Garcia had 11 points each for the Bulldogs.
Both teams exchanged baskets early on but four consecutive fouls called on the Maroons allowed NU to pull away at 22-14, with 2:15 minutes to play in the first quarter.
Woody Co compounded the situation for UP, missing four charities that didn’t help the Maroons’ cause as they settled for an 11-point deficit at the end of the first quarter.
The Fighting Maroons, though, clawed their way back in the second quarter. Magi Sison’s back-to-back baskets tied the game at 29. Reyes and Marfori, along with point guard Mike Gamboa, then led an offensive onslaught that helped their squad outscore NU, 31-10, in the second period.
Coach Manny Dandan’s wards attempted a third quarter comeback. Bulldogs slotman Raymond Aguilar silenced the UP crowd with a three-point play to narrow the deficit to five, 52-47, with six minutes to play.
This was the closest the Sampaloc-based dribblers could get, however, as UP gradually strengthened its advantage in the final quarter. Reyes, Arvin Braganza and Paul Sorongon all hit crucial triples to fend off the NU challenge, resulting in the victory.
UP 86 – Reyes 21, Marfori 11, Agbayani 11, Sison 9, Gamboa 8, Sorongon 8, Braganza 7, Co 5, Hipolito 4, Lopez 2, Astorga 0, de Asis 0.
NU 72 – Jahnke 17, Aguilar 13, Garcia 13, Ponferrada 9, Baloran 7, Asoro 4, Tungcul 3, Fabula 3, dela Cruz 2, Berry 1, Galapon 0, Luy 0, Catamora 0.
Quarter Scores: 17-28, 48-38, 68-56, 86-72
Tags: News, NU-Bulldogs, Petron, UAAP, UP-Fighting-MaroonsRelated posts
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Grrr!
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 6:41 am
i never thought the maroons could do it. but this is their centennial, so this could be the start of a 100 game winning streak. i hops it’s not back to a 100 game losing streak for ther bulldogs.
Grrr!
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 6:42 am
asoro - 4 points lang - something smells fishy
penchant
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 10:27 am
UP ang galing mo!
Matalino
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 10:27 am
@Grrr!
ikaw yung amoy fish!! BAHO!!
littlemissfightingmaroon
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 10:50 am
i’m speechless. way to go UP :))
biskwit
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 11:18 am
ala nanamang points si de asis… tsk.. still, way to go UP!
eliza
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 12:15 pm
wOOOOOoooohOOOOOoooooo
rules my ass
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 12:22 pm
tinignan ko pala sa dictionary:
Grrr!
n.
1. One that stinks.
2. Slang
An irritating, disgusting, or contemptible person.
Well, that explains it all.
New_Iska
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 12:23 pm
UP Fight! Ahaha…it was the first college basketball game I ever watched and I was thoroughly happy that we won. Go UP Fighting Maroons!
Jim Wierzba
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 12:48 pm
Looks like the Fighting Maroons, with Coach
Aboy’s leadership and wisdom, will have a future to build on now. One victory does not make a season, but with that ‘first one’
now outta the way, the sky is the limit. He
will work those young men hard, and they will respond. The real future of the team just may lay hidden on the ‘B’ team!
Grrr!
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 1:38 pm
@rule the ass: sticks and stones can break my bones me but your words and your team can’t win over me. hahahahahaha! TALO, yeah that’s what i’ll call you TALO (Team Ass Loses Often). hahahahahaha
Marooned
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 5:12 pm
Just like i thought… Lipa should have used Martin Reyes more frequently and benched De Asis… I guess it worked for Castro…
WTG! Way before i believed that reyes is way better than de asis…
step-up shooter
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 9:08 pm
we shud also give credit to gamboa for running their offense smoothly, and as i watched him, i can see a future marvin cruz-like player.
thirdy d pogi
+0
Monday, 7 July 2008 at 10:29 pm
thank you up fighting maroons for making the double header yesterday doubly exciting. it was worth all the wait. up fight!
pelixis
+1
Tuesday, 8 July 2008 at 11:36 am
nananadya tlga tong si asoro mukhang pera yan eh
Charlie
+0
Tuesday, 8 July 2008 at 12:31 pm
Finally, the Maroons showed once again why they’re the “FIGHTING” Maroons. Great game. Congrats to Aboy Castro, Potit de Vera, Jerry Codinera and the rest of the coaching staff.
ric
+0
Tuesday, 8 July 2008 at 7:05 pm
I just wish that UP will have a good season kahit hindi makapasok ng final 4.
kobe4LIFE
+0
Tuesday, 8 July 2008 at 8:04 pm
great game for both teams… ok ung system ni coach aboy sa UP lalo na nilagay na sa bench c de asis w/c hnd nmn sya consistent in last year tournament…. great job coach aboy
ABjuaner
+0
Wednesday, 9 July 2008 at 7:46 am
too bad i missed it, the greatest year for UP. i miss Pinas and i miss UP! hahaha ang galing mo talaga UP!!!
btw,nice article roge!
....
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Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 11:04 am
galing ng UP!:) but the real test is on saturday. Goodluck.
jaxbin
+0
Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 4:56 pm
UP should stay motivated with the win. Ipakita ang tunay na puso para sa Centennial Celebration!!!
Go UP!!! We’re here to support our Alma Mater.