Fighting Maroons shock champions Ateneo
Monday, 27 July 2009 6,935 Views / 190 Comments
KATIPUNAN has a new king, at least for the first round.
The University of the Philippines scored arguably the biggest upset in college hoops in years, clipping the erstwhile unbeaten Ateneo de Manila University, 68-58 in UAAP Season 72 at the Philsports Arena last July 26.
Everything seemed to go Ateneo’s way in the first half as it contained the Fighting Maroons’ attack. In fact, Blue Eagles mentor Norman Black even resorted to fielding in some of his second-stringers in an attempt to get the bench going as early as possible. What was to come, however, was completely unimaginable.
State University, clad in its new, black jerseys for the second straight game, launched a 12-0 blast to open the second half, a run that gave the Maroons the lead for good. Rookie forward Mark Juruena’s long two with 7:48 in the third period handed UP the advantage, 37-35, while Arvin Braganza capped off the lethal run with a breakaway layup to extend the lead to six. UP also stifled the Ateneo attack, holding it to six points in the third period.
The Blue Eagles never managed to get back into the game in the final period as Woody Co and Mark Lopez anchored a tough Diliman stance to give their school its first win in three outings. Ateneo, meanwhile, suffered its first defeat and dropped to a tie for first with University of Sto. Tomas at 3-1.
Sophomore Mark Lopez and Junior Woody Co provided the firepower the Fighting Maroons needed to hand the Hail Mary Squad their first loss this season thus preventing Ateneo a sweep of the first round. The UP Fighting Maroons opened the 1st period with a 6-0 blast.
Co and Lopez led the gallant Fighting Maroons with 15 points apiece. Reigning league Most Valuable Player Rabeh Al-Hussaini, meanwhile, towed the Blue Eagles with 17 markers and six boards.
UP coach Aboy Castro said, “We just wanted to show that we can execute well not only on offense but also defense. We just had a more focused practice and we just wanted to execute better in the end. We knew we could play with them so we just increased our intensity. This is the first time we played them in a year. I hope the boys continue to work hard and focus more since in our next outing, we’ll be playing a tough FEU team.â€
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