The UP Fighting Maroons ended their UAAP Season 73 campaign just like Season 70 at 0-14, thanks to UE Red Warriors.
By: Geoff Latayan
The UP Fighting Maroons had their chances to avoid an ill-fated date with history but the UE Red Warriors came to make sure that they have to attend that date.
The Red Warriors used a 17-0 run from the closing stages of the second quarter to the first 5:50 of the third quarter to pull away from the Fighting Maroons and cruised with a 67-61 win at the final playing day of the elimination round of UAAP Season 73, Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Recto-based dribblers of Coach Lawrence Chongson were clinging at a 31-29 lead until a late alley-oop to Ken Acibar and a three ball from James Martinez gave them a seven point halftime cushion, 36-29.
The points continued to flood for the Red Warriors as they scored 12 more to put themselves in a 19 point cushion, 48-29, 4:28 in the third.
It was not until the 4:09 mark of the third quarter that UP would buy a basket as fifth year Woody Co connected on a twinner to cut it to 17, 31-48.
The deficit would be chopped down further late in the fourth, as Chongson elected to use shock troopers to close the game. As this developed, he reverted back to his usual starters to finish it.
Ken Acibar, who finished with 11 points, was left uncontested for a dunk with 8.9 seconds remaining to seal the game for the Red Warriors, who ended the season 6-8 after starting 1-6 in the first round.
James Martinez and Raffy Reyes made sure that they will have their graceful exit wearing the Red Warriors uniform as they combined for 28 points.
Leading UE scorer Paul Lee had an all-around game as he caromed eight rebounds and dished off nine assists to go along with his eight points.
On the other side, of the three players serving their last playing day for the Fighting Maroons, only Magi King Sison had an A-game as he tallied 21 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks. Co, who did not play in the past two weeks due to injury, had nine points. Martin Reyes had an off shooting day as he went scoreless.
Five Keys:
- 1. Graceful exits for James and Raffy. They played their last game wearing a Red Warrior uniform and left gracefully. Raffy Reyes was superb with his speed as he left his guards eating dust as he slashed and anchored on fastbreak plays for the Red Warriors for this game. On the other hand, James Martinez came off the bench and sniped his way to a 17 point outburst. It was instant offense for him as he had 11 of his points in the second quarter.
- 2. Magi shackled in the second half. Magi King Sison was on his way for a career last game until he encountered roadblocks coming from UE’s bigs. He was held down to four points in the second half after scoring 17 in the first half. UE’s defense on Sison is one of the reasons why UP fell this game.
- 3. UE’s bench dismantles UP’s relievers. Rarely can we see UP ahead in bench production this season. And for the last game, UE made sure that the UP’s bench would be shut down too. UE’s bench had a decisive 26-17 advantage against UP’s relievers.
- 4. Lording the paint. UE dominated the inside despite having a smaller lineup. UE slashed their way to the basket while the Fighting Maroons were just contented with taking some jumpers. Only in the final minutes of the game that UP realized that they should attack the paint. The result, 40-24 for UE.
- 5. 17-0 blitz. UE’s 17-0 attack pulled the plug off UP’s chances for a breakthrough win. This gave UE a 19 point lead in the third which was hard for UP to surpass.
