The Fighting Maroons are back in the finals.
The UP Fighting Maroons are back in the UAAP Finals for the third straight season after eliminating the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, 57-46, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Fighting Maroons and Blue Eagles struggled offensively throughout the game as both teams were limited to just over 20 points in the first half.
Come the second half, it was UP’s stinging defense that allowed them to distance themselves from Ateneo.
By the fourth quarter, the Fighting Maroons led by Malick Diouf, who finished with 12 points, 16 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, kept their composure to close out the game and seal their third straight finals appearance.
This will also be the first time under coach Tab Baldwin that the Blue Eagles failed to make the finals.
Assistant coach Christian Luanzon had nothing but praises for the team’s effort on the defensive end, noting the pressure given by guys like Gerry Abadiano as well as Francis Lopez.
“We saw a pretty convincing big chunk of nung (defensive) sample size nun. ‘Yung pressure ni Abadiano kay (Chris) Koon, ‘yung pressure ni Francis kay Kai Ballungay, even si Malik when he shows hard on screens,” Luanzon said during the post-game press conference.
“Coaches always talk about consistency and I believe from a defensive standpoint, this is the most consistent four quarter game namin, especially on the defensive end,” he added.
UP will now await the winner of the Final Four match between the De La Salle Green Archers and NU Bulldogs.
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But for Diouf, who is playing his final year for UP, it’s all eyes on the prize for the Fighting Maroons.
“This is my last playing year, it’s really special for me. I need to finish with something good. We have a common goal so finishing with a trophy will be good and great for me, and I think we can do it,” said Diouf.
(CF)