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University of the Philippines' Sean Alter in action. UAAP Media
MANILA — University of the Philippines solidified its hold of the second spot, collecting its eighth win in 11 games as it trounced already-eliminated University of the East, 70-61, in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament, Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavillion.
The win bolstered the Fighting Maroons' bid for a Final berth—just behind league-leading National University, which is at 8-2, set to take on Adamson University (5-5) later in the day.
READ: UAAP: UP's Harold Alarcon banking on experience in clutch moments
Sean Alter anchored the State U's first half drive, firing 11 of his 13 points on 5-of-5 clip, while Gerry Abadiano had a personal 7-0 run to end the second period as they established a 44-25 cushion entering the break.
The Maroons' lead exploded to 26 points at the 59-33 mark just before the third quarter ended.
READ: UAAP: Alarcon takes over as UP outlasts UST for solo second
The UE side had an outburst in the final frame, outscoring UP, 21-10, but it didn't really matter anymore as the latter's lead was too much to handle already.
Alter gave credit to his teammates and coaches after finishing with 13 points on 6-of-6 clip, to go with six rebounds and two blocks, pouring his best game in a UP uniform.
"I'd like to say the reason I was able to get those points is because of my teammates. Not only my teammates but coaches and we've been practicing a lot," said Alter.
"Just that connection with my teammates, that really shows how after we get a tough bucket, we're celebrating with each other. We're really close. We're a tight-knit family," he added.
Francis Nnoruka had a huge double-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks to earn Player of the Game nod, as Abadiano made his presence felt with 10 markers.
On the other hand, Tope Lagat's 21-point output was down the drain as UE absorbed its 11th straight loss in the season.
UP battles the Soaring Falcons next, seeking a flip of the script after losing to the Nash Racela-coached squad in the first round, while UE hopes to clinch a breakthrough triumph against UST.
The scores:
UP (70) – Nnoruka 16, Alter 13, Abadiano 10, Fortea 6, Remogat 5, Alarcon 4, Coronel 4, Belmonte 4, Stevens 3, Bayla 3, Palanca 2, Yñiguez 0, Briones 0, Andres 0, Torres 0, Felicilda 0.
UE (61) – Lagat 21, Lingolingo 11, Despi 9, Malaga 6, Momowei 4, Distrito 4, Datumalim 3, Cabero 2, Mulingtapang 1, Rosete 0, Robles 0, Jimenez 0.
Quarterscores: 19-8, 44-25, 60-40, 70-61