UP Fighting Maroons Basketball

15. 09.

UAAP Season 71

DLSU defeats FEU 67-62

ADMU defeats UE, 70-50

It’s Ateneo Blue Eagles vs. De La Salle Green Archers in the finals

Another 2 or 3 Ateneo vs. La Salle games for free, hehe

13. 09.

UAAP Season 71 Women’s Basketball

UP Lady Maroons vs UST Tigresses
UP defeats UST 52-39
September 13, 2008, 9am
Arena, San Juan

Lady Maroons cage Tigresses, force rubber match anew
By Merck Maguddayao

The University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons played choking defense in the second half to rout archrival University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses, 52-39, in the second game of their Final Four duel in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament at the San Juan gym today.

Employing a boxing one and a 3-2 full court trapping defense in the second half, the Lady Maroons allowed the Tigresses to score a mere 11 second half points, the lowest in the tournament so far. Furthermore, UP’s defense caused Most Valuable Player contender and ace Tigress Marichu Bacaro to score only 11 points coming off a 31 point output in the previous game, while forcing the high-flying guard to commit 12 turnovers.

The game started with both teams exchanging baskets as Lady Maroon guard Danielle Bautista scored eight first quarter points. The quarter ended with UP barely ahead, 15-14.

The subsequent quarter saw the Lady Maroons committing numerous turnovers off UST’s zone defense. This resulted to eight fastbreak points for the Tigresses while the Lady Maroons scored only nine points, most of which came from foul shots. The first half ended with UST regaining the lead, 28-24.

After the halftime recess, both teams played airtight defense, stopping each other’s fastbreak attempts while scoring simply came from set plays. The Tigresses maintained the lead at the end of the third canto, 34-32.

In the payoff period and on the verge of being eliminated, the Lady Maroons wowed the Tigresses by playing full court trap as guard defender Andrea Stevens scored four instant points off steals to inspire UP’s run. The Lady Maroons also played sheer hustle both offensively and defensively, allowing them to get more second chance opportunities.

At the five minute mark, ace Maroon Sihaya Sadorra dished three pivotal assists to open teammates as UP rolled over to a 14-point lead. The Lady Maroon captain likewise played excellent defense, snatching four possessions from the Tigresses. Having scored only two points in an eight minute stretch in the quarter, the Tigresses never fought back as the Lady Maroons forced a do-or-die in their last Final Four match next Wednesday.

Sadorra led the Lady Maroons with 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals, and a block while forward Rem Buenacosa supplemented Bacaro’s off-game with 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Tigresses.

UP (52) – Tolentino 14, D. Bautista 12, Sadorra 9, Stevens 6, Cainglet 4, Tomelden 4, Paz 3, M. Bautista 0, Del Rosario 0, Robelo 0, Casino 0

UST (39) - Bacaro 11, Buenacosa 10, Fermin 8, Gregorio 6, Bombeo 2, Leonardo 2, De Leon 0, Obrador 0

10. 09.

UAAP Season 71 Women’s Basketball

UP Lady Maroons vs UST Tigresses
UST defeats UP 69-64
September 10, 2008, 3pm
Arena, San Juan

Next Game: September 13, 9am, Arena

Final Four opener
Tigresses push Lady Maroons on the edge
By Merck Maguddayao

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses burned the hoops of the San Juan Arena to wallop the University of the Philippines (UP) for the first time this season, 69-64, in the opening game of their virtual best-of-three match in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball Final Four today.

Ace Tigress and tournament top scorer Marichu Bacaro exploded for 31 points to lead the Tigresses in the game, which was set as a playoff for the second spot. On the other hand, Lady Maroon star player Sihaya Sadorra chalked in 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead UP.

The game started with both teams scorching hot from the three point line in rapid succession. However, the Lady Maroons got the early edge, 17-20, with center Fatima Tolentino scoring six quick points off set plays.

The second quarter opened with the Tigresses converting on perimeter shots courtesy of Bacaro and forward Rem Buenacosa. The Lady Maroons, meanwhile, fought neck and neck, with Kryzza Casino and Diwa Paz converting four acrobatic lay-ups. The Bacaro-Buenacosa duo then sparked a 10-0 run capped by a nearly-botched trey from Tigress shooter Nikki Leonardo. The Tigresses ended the half leading, 38-31.

Coming off the halftime break, Sadorra suddenly charged for six points off dribble drives to keep UP in contention. Buenacosa and center Joan Gregorio retaliated by scoring 4 points each off perimeter shots to lift UST to a double-digit lead, 47-37, halfway through the third quarter. Both teams then traded baskets to end the quarter with the Tigresses leading, 54-46.

In the payoff period, the game shifted to a Sadorra versus Bacaro showdown as the two veterans showcased an array of daredevil drives on the open court. However, Tigress Gail Fermin’s three-point shot extended UST’s lead to nine, 64-55, with 4 minutes left.

The Lady Maroons then replied with a 7-0 run as Sadorra played decoy, issuing assists to Diwa Paz and Jedil Robelo, who converted on open outside shots. Bacaro, however, spoiled UP’s run by converting on a tightly guarded dribble drive to make UST pull away for good.

With their third straight loss, the Lady Maroons are relegated to a do-or-die match against the Tigresses on Saturday, 9 am, at the San Juan Arena, to be followed by the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws versus Adamson Lady Falcons semifinal match, where the former holding a twice-to-beat advantage.

UST (69) - Bacaro 31, Buenacosa 13, Leonardo 10, Gregorio 8, Fermin 3, Bombeo 2, De Leon 2, Rivera 0

UP (64) – Sadorra 15, Tolentino 11, Paz 10, Robelo 8, Casino 7, D. Bautista 6, Tomelden 4, Del Rosario 2, Stevens 1, M. Bautista 0, Cainglet 0

Quarter scores: 17-20, 38-31, 54-46, 69-64

7. 09.

UAAP Season 71

UP Fighting Maroons vs. UST Growling Tigers
UST wins 71-63
September 6, 2008, 2pm
Araneta Coliseum

Final Standing: 3 wins, 11 losses

BOX SCORES

UST 71 – Cruz 21, Ababou 19, Mirza 10, Allera 8, Camus 3, Cuan 3, Gile 3, Canlas 2, Taylor 2, Bautista 0, Fenequito 0, Fortuna 0, Vargas 0.

UP 63 – Agbayani 20, Reyes 14, Astorga 8, de Asis 5, Lopez 4, Sison 4, Co 2, Gamboa 2, Hipolito 2, Pajela 2, Marfori 0, dela Victoria 0, Maniego 0, Braganza 0, Sorongon 0.

3. 09.

UAAP Season 71 Women’s Basketball

UP Lady Maroons vs FEU Lady Tamaraws
FEU defeats UP 62-50
September 3, 2008, 4pm
Blue Eagle Gym

Lady Tams finish on top
By Merck Maguddayao

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws asserted their superiority in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament, nipping the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons, 52-50, in the last game of the elimination round at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.

With the win, the Lady Tamaraws finished at 13 wins and one loss and will face the Adamson University Lady Falcons with a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

On the other hand, the Lady Maroons ended up tied at second place with the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, with a 10-4 win-loss card. Both teams will play in a best-of-three affair in the semifinals.

Coming off a grueling overtime loss against Adamson, the Lady Maroons showed no signs of fatigue by starting the game hot, with Fatima Tolentino converting on post-up shots. The Lady Tamaraws, meanwhile, relied on mid-range shots from Bernadette Mercado and Raiza Palmera. The first quarter closed, 14-17, in favor of UP.

Both teams then played tight defense in the second canto as the Lady Maroons continued on their post plays with Tolentino as the main scoring option. The bulky center scored 13 first half points as the Lady Maroons held on to a 21-27 lead at the end of the quarter.

The second half opened with the Lady Maroons jumping to a ten-point lead, 34-24, with guards Kryzza Casino and Camille Tomelden converting on outside shots. However, the Lady Tamaraws came back within two points, 32-34, as guard Love Miag-ao converted two treys two spark the run.

The Lady Maroons then countered with forward Sihaya Sadorra scoring four points off dribble penetrations. The third quarter ended with UP still leading, 34-38.

The Lady Tamaraws then sparked an uprising with Miag-ao and Mercado converting on perimeter shots as FEU grabbed the lead, 42-40, at the start of the payoff period. Furthermore, center Kathlynn Reyes scored all of her seven points in the last five minutes to put FEU in front, 49-44.

Sadorra, on the other hand, pushed UP back, scoring four points and issuing a nifty pass to Tolentino to keep the Lady Maroons within reach, 52-50, in the last minute. However, the Lady Maroons ran out of gas as Sadorra and Tolentino missed three crucial shots that would have tied the game.

Miag-ao led the Lady Tamaraws with 14 points and four three-point conversions while Tolentino and Sadorra led UP with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Additionally, the Lady Maroons converted a sour nine of 25 free throws to further their loss.

The Lady Maroons and the Tigresses will start their Final Four duel next Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

FEU (52) – Miag-ao 14, Mercado 9, C. Borja 9, Palmera 8, Reyes 7, Astrero 3, Sernal 2, Rivera 0, M. Borja 0, Supnet 0, Leviste 0, Positos 0

UP (50) – Tolentino 18, Sadorra 15, Tomelden 5, Casino 4, Paz 3, D. Bautista 2, Cainglet 2, Robelo 1, Stevens 0, M. Bautista 0, Del Rosario 0>

31. 08.

UAAP Season 71 Women’s Basketball

UP Lady Maroons vs ADU Lady Falcons
Adamson defeats UP 68-62
August 31, 2008, 3pm
Blue Eagle Gym

Lady Falcons stay alive, upset Lady Maroons in OT
By Merck Maguddayao

The Adamson Lady Falcons leaned on the heroics of center Analyn Almazan to secure at least a playoff for the last Final Four slot by drowning the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons, 68-62, in overtime at the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball eliminations.

Down by two points in the last five seconds, the 5’11” Almazan instantly stole the ball off UP’s inbound pass for a buzzer-beating fastbreak lay-up to tie the score at 51 in the end of regulation. Almazan led the Lady Falcons with 18 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.

In overtime play, Almazan accentuated her class by scoring eight points off bruising post drives and a three-point shot. The all-around center also issued a crucial assist to an open three-point shot converted by Fria Bernardo to keep the Lady Maroons at bay.

The game started very slowly, however, as both teams scored sparsely in the opening quarter. In the next canto, the Lady Falcons choked the Lady Maroons with a very tight zone defense, forcing the host team to score only two points in the entire quarter. The first half ended with the Lady Falcons leading 21-12.

The game continued with the Lady Maroons’ tandem of Sihaya Sadorra and Fatima Tolentino scoring heavily off the post. UP also held its own in defense, forcing the Lady Falcons to commit two shotclock violations and several muffed shots. The Lady Maroons ended the quarter trailing by two, 31-29.

The last quarter started with a hot shootout between Lady Maroon Jedil Robelo and Lady Falcons Bernardo and Anna Buendia as the lead exchanged several times during the spree.

Down by three in the last minute, the Lady Maroons recovered from a near-botched play as reserve guard Fille Cainglet banked in a shotclock-beating trey from 25 feet, tying the score at 49.

In the subsequent play, Sadorra stole Adamson’s possession and converted a fastbreak lay-up to regain the lead for the Lady Maroons, 51-49. However, UP’s party was spoiled through Alamazan’s heroics in the subsequent play and in overtime.

Adamson (68) – Almazan 18, Bernardo 15, Buendia 15, Ortega 11, Sandel 6, Tan 3, Tecson 0, Verzosa 0, Catalan 0

UP (62) - Sadorra 21, Tolentino 15, Robelo 11, Tomelden 4, Cainglet 3, M. Bautista 2, D. Bautista 2, Stevens 2, Paz 2, Del Rosario 0, Casino 0

Quarter scores: 9-10, 21-12, 31-29, 51-51, 68-62 (OT)

30. 08.

UAAP Season 71

UP Fighting Maroons vs. FEU Tamaraws
FEU wins 71-70
August 30, 2008, 2pm
Philsports/Ultra

BOX SCORES

FEU 71 – Ramos 12, Barroca 12, Sanga 9, Baracael 9, Cawaling 7, Adolfo 7, Cervantes 6, Knuttel 4, Fernandez 4, Tanuan 1, Alisbo 0, Cabagnot 0.

UP 70 - Reyes 19, Co 15, Agbayani 11, Lopez 10, Sison 5, Maniego 4, De Asis 3, Sorongon 2, Braganza 1, Marfori 0.

28. 08.

UAAP Season 71 Women’s Basketball

UP Lady Maroons vs NU Lady Bulldogs
UP defeats NU 49-29
August 28, 2008, 10am
Blue Eagle Gym

Lady Maroons cage Lady Bulldogs
By Merck Maguddayao

The University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons rolled to its tenth win by routing the National University (NU) in clinical fashion, 49-29, in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines women’s basketball elimination round.

The Lady Maroons once more displayed its superiority in the tournament, winning with an average margin of 15 points in their last four games. Back-up playmaker Fille Cainglet played another splendid game with eight points, six rebounds, and four assists while Sihaya Sadorra topscored with 10 points to lead UP.

The game started with the Lady Maroons holding its own on defense, limiting NU’s scoring to only 6 first quarter points with a choking boxing one defense against the Lady Bulldogs shooters.

In the second quarter, the Lady Bulldogs played highly physical defense, forcing the Lady Maroons to score from the foul line. With Jovelyn Mejia and Rejoice Ramos in charge, NU managed to stick within 2 points, 16-14, but UP made a 7-1 run through the playmaking of Cainglet and Andrea Stevens. The Lady Maroons led in the first half, 23-15.

After the halftime break, the Lady Maroons scored 11 unanswered points as Cainglet and Sadorra scored seven and four fastbreak points respectively. The Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, experienced its worst offensive output in the game with only four third quarter points.

The Lady Maroons bench wound up the last quarter by playing as intense as the starters to keep the Lady Bulldogs at bay. With the lopsided win, the Lady Maroons became the number one defensive squad, limiting their opponents to just 49 points.

UP (49)- Sadorra 10, Cainglet 8, Paz 5, Stevens 5, Luna 4, D. Bautista 4, Robelo 3, Tomelden 3, M. Bautista 2, Binamira 2, Mercado 2, Casino 1, Del Rosario 0, Tolentino 0,  Del Mundo 0

NU (29)- Mejia 9, Mandap 9, R. Ramos 5, Letigio 2, Bangal 2, Batnag 1, E. Ramos 1, Santos 0, Alla 0, Cudal 0, Meneses 0

Quarter scores: 10-6, 23-15, 38-19, 49-29

28. 08.

Important Announcement: Change in Schedule

The game between

UP vs. FEU

was moved from

Sunday, August 31, 2pm at Philsports/Ultra

to

Saturday, August 30, 2pm at Philsports/Ultra.

27. 08.

View the Full Gallery of the UP vs. ADU game here