By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons showcased another hoops clinic after crushing the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 89-62, in the ongoing UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on September 18, 2024, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With another lopsided victory, the Fighting Maroons joined the De La Salle University (DLSU) as the only undefeated schools in the competition, hiking its record to a perfect 3-0 win-loss record.
UP picked up where they left off after dominating the University of the East (UE) during their past outing and just stomped NU from the get-go.
In the first 10 minutes of action, the Fighting Maroons quickly buckled to work to establish a commanding double-digit lead heading into the second frame.
The UP high-octane attack won’t be possible without the first-half heroics of energy guy Mark Belmonte who already amassed a total of 12 points after the first two quarters.
The versatile forward was everywhere on the floor, collecting offensive rebounds to score several second-chance points while attacking the NU interior at will with his length and athleticism.
After the Belmonte eruption, the rest of the Fighting Maroons followed his footsteps and made a collective effort to blast NU on both ends of the floor.
JD Cagulangan showed he still had enough gas left in the tank after becoming UP’s Best Player of the Game during their first two wins.
The veteran floor general ran the UP attack to perfection, dissecting the NU defense in the second half that blew the game wide open.
Despite several three-pointers from UE midway through the fourth, UP’s lead was just too much to handle, resulting in another double-digit win in the UAAP.
Belmonte spearheaded UP’s assault after tallying 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block, while Cagulangan added 13 markers and four dimes.
The Fighting Maroons will look to maintain its unbeaten UAAP run on September 22, 2024, as they take on the Far Eastern University (FEU) in the first scheduled game of a doubleheader.
