UP surprises defending champions DLSU Green Archers with record-breaking win
The State U Squad sings off ‘UP Naming Mahal’ as they won against the DLSU Green Archers, 98-87.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons stood out not just another victory, but a record-making one, at the Round 1 of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Tournament, against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 98-87.
Denying the Green Archers of their fourth consecutive win this season, the Fighting Maroons played an inspired game against the defending champions that they even garnered 16 triples, which is the most in the league since 2010.
More so, it is also the first time that the State U Squad was able to defeat the Green Archers during the first round of the competition since 2015.
Reigning MVP Ben Mbala did not waste any chance of shots against the Fighting Maroons, making four threes in the first quarter, and contributing to the biggest lead of the game, 23-9, despite facing UP’s main big man Ibrahim Outtara. But retaliating to the Archers’ offense, UP ended the first frame as they minimized the gap to 9, 18-27.
Coming from a 9-point deficit, the State U squad’s assault was led by skipper Desiderio, tying the game at 35-all by 4:58, and gaining an upper hand by four points as the first half was sealed by the State U squad’s debutant Rob Ricafort, 47-43.
Starting the second half, continuous exchange of offense was seen between the Green Archers and Fighting Maroons, which resulted to the third quarter ending tight, 66-65.
The fourth frame saw UP’s prowess, with the likes of Janjan Jaboneta, Jarrell Lim, and Jun Manzo contributing to their team’s basket, as State U Coach Bo Perasol preferred small ball since the second half.
As Coach Bo have noticed, the State U Squad must get the ball outside. “Naisip ko lang na pagbigyan ng switch sa mga outside shooters kasi mababagal pa man din yung ating mga big men”, he explained.
Despite having a slow start, the seemingly David and Goliath game between the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers ended in DLSU’s first loss, to UP, with a double-digit deficit of 11 points, 98-87.
“Ang importante was no matter what happened during the game, we did not panic, we composed ourselves, we were able to get back despite the torrid shooting of Ben in the beginning,” Perasol said.
Overall, Maroon skipper Desiderio made another career-high score of 30 points, with his partner-in-crime Manzo also making a career-high score of 17 points. The Gomez de Liano brothers also contributed 10 points each.
Although losing the game, Mbala set out another career-high score of 34 points, while Andrei Caracut contributed career-high score of 15 points.
As UP pierces DLSU’s straight wins for the Round 1 of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Tournament, both squads are now tied in the second place in the league, with a 3-1 win-loss card.
But as Coach Bo mentioned in the interview, the State U squad would not sink to their emotions as they achieved this overwhelming victory against the defending champions. “This cannot be a step backwards, na you tend to relax, parang pag too emotional ka, nawawala yung pagiging sharp mo e. So we cannot be too emotional about this. We won this, but our win against La Salle is just the same with our win against UE. It’s just one win.”
On the issues of possible forfeitures of the games where Ricafort participated, Coach Bo leaves the matter to the university’s lawyers. ‘Basta kami nanalo, kung maforfeit, e sayang nga pero I’m sure I know where they’re coming from.”
Ricafort, on the other hand, contributed and played well for his team despite the pressures. “Earlier, before I got here, I was a little nervous, but I was able to compose myself”, he said.
Meanwhile, La Salle Coach Aldin Ayo admitted their team’s shortcoming on their game against UP. “Di mangyayari yung mga tres na yun kung nagdepensa kami ng maayos. They did not do anything exceptionally. Ginawa lang nila yung usual nila na ginagawa.”
“We have to do more in terms of executing our game plan kasi last game ganun din nangyari. Ngayon ganun din. So hopefully, we learn from those two games…With the system that we have, when it comes to the floor, we keep on running. Baka naubos na rin yung mga bata. Baka physically nadedrain or baka, psychologically nadrain na rin ang mga bata, so we have to regroup and address our bodies, pati utak namin”, he added.
UP 98 - Desiderio 30, Manzo 17, Ju. Gomez de Liano 10, Ja. Gomez de Liano 10, Lim 6, Ouattara 6, Jaboneta 6, Dario 5, Romero 4, Ricafort 2, Prado 2, Harris 0, Vito 0, Lao 0.
La Salle 87 - Mbala 34, Caracut 15, Ri. Rivero 12, P. Rivero 9, Melecio 5, Montalbo 5, Santillan 5, Paraiso 2, Tratter 0, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 18-27; 47-43; 66-65; 98-87.
