Francis Lopez and the rest of the UP Fighting Maroons are back in the Finals of the FilOil EcoOil ECJ Preseason Cup.
University of the Philippines is in the Finals of the 17th FilOil EcoOil ECJ Preseason Cup after fending off Far Eastern University, 89-77, on Sunday, June 9, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Fresh off their dominating quarterfinals win over Mapua University, the Fighting Maroons were tested early on by the pesky Tamaraws, securing just a five-point lead by halftime.
Coming off the break, UP turned things around with a 15-4 run for a 58-42 lead led by big man Sean Alter and team captain Gerry Abadiano.
FEU, who advanced to the semis behind a game-winning shot to beat St. Benilde, showed its resiliency anew as Fil-Am guard John Godinez managed to trim the lead to just 10 at the end of the third for the Tamaraws.
Building on that momentum, the Tamaraws charged to cut the lead to just three points at 72-69 after back-to-back baskets by Jorick Bautista.
But from then on, it was all UP as Francis Lopez, JD Cagulangan, and Harold Alarcon teamed up to help the Fighting Maroons regain a double-digit advantage which they would hold on to secure the win.
"We just like how we responded, especially mga certain spurts. That's something that we're gonna have to work on kasi gusto sana namin 'yung maging consistent kami sa sagot nila, sa certain runs," said assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
"Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy improvement namin not only sa next game but also as we build towards the UAAP."
Lopez led the way for the Fighting Maroons with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Cagulangan added 13 markers, while Alter and Abadiano had eight apiece.
Veejay Pre had 20 points for the Tamaraws in the loss. Bautista and Janrey Pasaol contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively.
UP will now await the winner between the semifinals bout between De La Salle University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
UP 89 — Lopez 22, Cagulangan 13, Abadiano 8, Alter 8, Bayla 8, Belmonte 6, Ududo 6, Alarcon 5, Torculas 4, Stevens 3, Torres 3, Briones 3, Rivero 0, Walker 0, Tan 0
FEU 77 — Pre 20, Bautista 16, Pasaol 11, Konateh 9, Daa 8, Godinez 7, Alforque 4, Bagunu 2, Taboctaboc 0, Ona, Gordon 0, Felipe 0, Montemayor 0, Beato 0
QUARTERS: 27-26, 43-38, 70-60, 89-77