Jelo Montecastro of UP gets hacked from behind by Lord Casajeros of UE. (Ralph Samson/Fullcourtfresh.com)

Games Saturday (July 16, 2011)
Araneta Coliseum
11:00am – Adamson vs. Far Eastern
3:00pm – De La Salle vs. Ateneo

GAME SUMMARY

FINAL/OT
(0 – 1)		(1 – 0)
61 – 69
QUARTERS			1	2	3	4
EAST			11	31	47	61
STATE U			22	39	57	69
STATISTICAL LEADERS
POINTS	UP	M. Gamboa				19
	UE	P. Zamar				14
REBOUNDS	UP	Montecastro				6
	UE	A. Santos				9
ASSISTS	UP	M. Gamboa				6
	UE	P. Zamar				3
KEY STATS	UE			UP
FASTBREAK PTS.	6			23
TO PTS.	10			22
TURNOVERS	24			17

It was back in August 22, 2009 when perennial underdogs University of the Philippines last experienced the sweet taste of victory. 18 losses and almost two years later, they finally know what it feels like to win again in the UAAP.

The Maroons made history as they ended the longest losing streak any UAAP team has ever had, at the expense of the University of the East Red Warriors, 69-61, on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Two players, incidentally with the same first name, spearheaded the Maroons to this much-awaited success. Returning point guard Mike Gamboa scored 19 points for the Maroons, while star forward Mike Silungan had 15 points, as well as the most number of steals in the game with four.

“It feels really great, we were able to start off the season on the right foot,” says Gamboa, who opted out of the team last year to focus on his studies. The fourth year player made 12 of his 19 points in the first half, and also clocked in six assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 40 minutes.

Taking into consideration their games in Season 73, UP supporters held their breaths in anticipation of whether or not the Diliman squad will be able to sustain their good showing in the early goings of the game until the final buzzer sounds. The Maroons are known get off to a great start, but eventually falter at the end game. They kept the Warriors at bay right off the bat, with the lead standing at 11, 22-11, at the end of the first period.

“I didn’t think [them losing the game after having the upperhand] would happen,” says rookie head coach Ricky Dandan. “I’m positive-minded, so I don’t think of that. If I think of that, it might happen.” Dandan, a former Fighting Maroon himself, replaced former coach Aboy Castro, who filed an indefinite leave of absence after their first two games last season.

The UE team was able to recover in the second quarter, outscoring UP, 17-20, to bring them closer, 39-31, at halftime. The Jerry Codinera-helmed squad gave UP a run for their money at the start of the second half, but wasn’t able to keep up with the Maroons’ shooting and defense. UP was up by 10 points, 57-47, going into the final canto.

Both squads were scoreless up until the 7 min 12 second mark of the fourth quarter, with UE’s Paul Zamar sinking a basket. Things got a little heated when Warrior Lord Casajeros committed an unsportsmanlike foul on Maroon rookie Anjelo Montecastro in the last two minutes of the game. Casajeros was asked to leave the court, while the two charities and ball possession that were awarded to UP sealed the deal for the Oblation community.

“I’m really happy but I stopped celebrating 10 minutes ago. I already have [our game against] NU on my mind,” notes Dandan. He commends the two Mikes, saying, “They cramped up because of their great work, but we will need the both of them to be healthier as we go along in this tournament.”

Sophomore guard Jett Manuel also scored in double digits for the Maroons, and coupled his 13 points with two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Paul Zamar lead the Warriors with 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Gamboa, who admits that he lost interest in basketball during his hiatus but says he is “now in love again with [it]”, takes after the other Mike’s mindset: One game at a time. “We’ll enjoy today, but we have to get back to work tomorrow. We’ll continue to battle hard,” says Silungan. (Katrina Angco)

BOX SCORE
STATE U (69): Gamboa 19, Silungan 15, Manuel 13, Gomez 9, Montecastro 5, Maniego 3, Gingerich 3, Romero 2, Mbah 0, Juruena 0
EAST (61): Zamar 14, Noble 8, Javier 6, Santos 5, Sumang 4, Enguio 4, Sumido 4, Zosa 3, Chavez 3, Casajeros 3, Flores 3, Tagarda 2, Duran 2
Quarters: 22-11, 39-31, 57-47, 69-61