Lopez was key in UP's huge fourth quarter scoring.
The UP Fighting Maroons remain undefeated in UAAP Season 86 after dominating the NU Bulldogs, 78-60, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Bulldogs built an early lead in the first quarter but was quickly erased by the Fighting Maroons led by veteran guard JD Cagulangan.
UP then started to build its own huge lead in the second half as it limited NU to 36.7% shooting for the game while allowing the Bulldogs to convert just one three-pointer for the entire match.
Francis Lopez took over for the Fighting Maroons in the fourth quarter, punctuating his all-around game of 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Given the stacked-UP roster, Lopez knows scoring is not the only way he can help his team. In fact, he’s willing to contribute any way he can for UP to win.
“I don't mind about the stats, what matters is the team. I wanna give a big credit to the team. I hope we can continue that and continue to defend. Most of the teams are tough so we gotta do our best,” Lopez said during the postgame press conference.
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Up next for the Fighting Maroons will be a date with the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday. Game time is set at 11 a.m. and will be played at the MOA Arena.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will look to bounce back from their tough loss as they take on the UST Growling Tigers on the same day, with game time scheduled for 3 p.m.
(With reports from Aivan Escope, One Sports Digital)
(MDB)