by Ruf Serafin

UP Integrated School finally entered the win column after a dominant start carried the Fighting Maroons to a 76-69 victory over Adamson University.

UPIS came out firing, opening the game with a 17-0 run before stretching its advantage to 28-5 by the end of the first quarter.

Adamson fought back in the second half, outscoring UPIS, 42-36, but the early deficit proved too steep as the Fighting Maroons completed a wire-to-wire victory.

Hubert Bautista spearheaded UPIS with 21 points and four steals, while Kean Poquiz added 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Zando Lagutiman also scored 15, all coming in the second half.

“I think it all boils down to what we’ve been preaching for the past two seasons for our U-16 and U-19 guys, na it’s about us and we just really wanted to focus on our development,” UPIS head coach King Vergeire said.

“We want to improve each and every day so eto lang ‘yong naging result ng hard work at sipag namin sa practices.”

Dwayne Sepnio and Kobe Edrada led Adamson with 10 points apiece as the Baby Falcons fell to 1-3.

UPIS look on to tie their Season 88 record as they face DLSZ Saturday, September 26 at the Junior Green Archers homecourt.

(Photo from UAAP Media)