Quezon City – In a decisive clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the University of the Philippines (UP) Maroons ousted Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws from the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament semifinals with an 81-64 victory.
According to Philippines News Agency, the match on Saturday saw UP solidifying their lead in the tournament with a 10-2 record, while FEU’s hopes for a Final Four spot were dashed, marking their absence in the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Sean Aldous Torculas, a key player for the UP Maroons, scored 13 points and expressed gratitude for his role in the team’s success. Francis Lopez and Harold Alarcon also made significant contributions, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Tamaraws, despite a strong performance from LJ Gonzales, who scored a game-high 20 points, and Jorick Bautista, who added 17 points, failed to secure a victory. UP’s assistant coach Christian Luanzon emphasized the team’s focused approach, taking one game at a time and maintaining persistence throughout the tournament. Coach Gold Monteverde’s strategy of ‘keep pounding’ was cited as a driving factor in the team’s consistent performance. The game’s final scores stood at UP 81 and FEU 64, with quarter scores of 16-13, 34-27, 60-47, and 81-64, highlighting the Maroons’ dominant performance throughout the match. The victory not only clinched UP’s spot in the Final Four but also reinforced their position as a strong contender for the championship title.