In a thrilling confrontation at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, the University of the Philippines (UP) men's basketball team narrowly triumphed over the University of the East (UE), overcoming an early deficit to secure a 91-81 victory. This win marks UP's third consecutive success and places them in sole possession of the top position in the UAAP Season 89 standings with a 5-2 record as the first round comes to a close.
The game started with the Fighting Maroons facing significant challenges, falling behind by as much as 10 points early on. However, they turned the tide in the middle quarters, demonstrating resilience and skill. James Payosing led the charge, posting an impressive 16 points and 12 rebounds. His performance was a key factor in the balanced scoring, as seven of his teammates also contributed in double digits, showcasing UP's depth and talent.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde acknowledged the importance of this win, particularly noting the value of overcoming adversity against a team still without a victory in nearly three seasons. Reflecting on the early struggles, Monteverde expressed a desire for his team to develop stronger starts in future matches, emphasizing that these experiences will serve as critical learning opportunities as the season progresses.
The match was not merely a stroll for the Fighting Maroons, as they faced a formidable UE squad determined to break its losing streak. UP’s comeback was bolstered by a concerted effort in defense during the second half, a strategy that has characterized their recent successes. The team managed not only to claw back into the game but also to pull ahead decisively in the final periods.
An earlier game against Adamson provided a backdrop for this encounter, with UP narrowly escaping that challenge despite trailing by 13 points. Moving forward, the Maroons will need to learn the importance of starting strong if they wish to maintain their lead and fend off other competitive teams in the league. A significant upcoming matchup against UE will determine if the Red Warriors can break their own drought in the second round.
In other league action, the women's basketball team from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) dominated Ateneo with a 90-67 victory, led by Karylle Sierba’s stunning career-high of 35 points. UST finished the first round unbeaten, showcasing their prowess as they head into the next phase of competition.