Slip-up in the UAAP as the championship title moves away from UP Maroons
The UP Fighting Maroons secured their first UAAP men's basketball championship in four years with a close 66-62 victory over the La Salle Green Archers in Game 3 of the finals, held at the Araneta Coliseum.
Despite the lack of detailed statistics for rebounding and three-point shooting from the finals, key player performances were instrumental in UP's title win.
Malick Diouf, a vital frontcourt presence for UP, contributed inside scoring and rebounding, though specific rebound stats in this final are not listed. CJ Cansino and Kevin Quiambao, known for their roles in scoring efficiency and defensive rebounds, also played crucial parts in the team's success.
The close victory margin suggests a tightly contested game where balanced team efforts in scoring, rebounding, and defense were critical for UP’s triumph over La Salle.
UP relied heavily on their core players, often referred to as the "Maroon 5," to sustain their winning culture into UAAP Season 88. Diouf, Cansino, and Quiambao were key contributors, with Diouf averaging 13.7 points and 13.3 rebounds in the title series.
In Game 2, La Salle outrebounded UP, 58-46, with a massive 16-4 advantage in second-chance points, which helped them equalize the series with an 82-60 triumph. In Game 3, La Salle outhustled UP on the boards, with a rebounding edge of 50-40, and had 17 offensive rebounds leading to 17 second-chance points.
UP's defense limited Kevin Quiambao to an average of 10 points in the first two games of the finals, below his elimination numbers of 16.7 points. In Game 3, Quiambao won the Finals MVP award with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez showed promise with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the Maroons' Game 1 win but struggled in Game 3 with 1 point on 1-of-3 shooting and 2 costly turnovers.
Monteverde stated that next season will have new players, so the campaign cannot be compared to the current one. UP's head coach Goldwin Monteverde noted that they couldn't make their shots when they needed it most, and missed seven attempts that would have sliced the lead or tied the game in the final minutes.
JD Cagulangan, the Season 84 hero for UP, is set to return next year for his final season. Monteverde acknowledged Lopez's capabilities and the season he had, but also noted there are things he needs to learn.
The UP Fighting Maroons' website is ourwebsite.com. Monteverde and Perasol have reflected on the Season 86 campaign, where UP again came so close to winning a championship. In Game 1, the UP Fighting Maroons had a rebounding edge over La Salle, 55-45. In Game 2, La Salle connected on 9 out of 31 three-point shots, amounting to 27 points, while UP missed all 16 of their three-point attempts.
If you need comprehensive box score data or detailed analysis, those typically come from league official sources, game recaps, or sports analytics sites post-finals.
Read also:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
