Shake it off. The UP Fighting Maroons will try to repeat their Round 1 victory against the UST Growling Tigers to open Round 2 of UAAP Season 87.
The UP Fighting Maroons look to put their Round 1 finish behind them as they open the second round of UAAP Season 87 against the UST Growling Tigers this Sunday, October 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UP, which went undefeated for most of the first round, suffered its only Round 1 loss in the final game—a tension-filled matchup against the defending champions, the De La Salle Green Archers.
Despite that setback, UP remains one of the top contenders in the tournament.
The 81-70 victory over UST on October 2 showcased their ability to control games, especially in key areas of the stat sheet.
The Fighting Maroons are leading the league in total field goals with a shooting percentage of 42.36% and dominate the paint, scoring an average of 34.86 points per game (PPG) inside. They also excel in fastbreak opportunities, leading the league with 11.57 fastbreak points per game.
Additionally, UP boasts the highest turnover points in the league, converting their opponents' mistakes into 17.14 points per game, and their deep bench has contributed heavily, adding 43.86 PPG.
However, UP has had issues with slow starts, something that head coach Goldwin Monteverde has acknowledged. The team also struggled without their playmaker JD Cagulangan, whose absence in the last two games was keenly felt.
Cagulangan remains a key figure for UP, averaging 13.4 PPG, good for fourth among the league's top scorers. He is also the second-best playmaker in the UAAP, dishing out six assists per game. His return will be crucial in UP’s quest to rebound and regain their rhythm in the second round.
Bright spots for the Fighting Maroons also include Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez, who are the team’s most efficient shooters, with field goal percentages of 56.76% and 53.06%, respectively.
Both Millora-Brown and Lopez have also made their presence felt on defense, ranking among the top blockers in the league with ten total rejections each.
QMB, in particular, has been a standout on the boards, averaging 9.71 boards, placing him fourth in the rebounding department.
As UP looks to make their fourth consecutive Final Four appearance, they’ll need to address their slow starts and capitalize on their depth and defensive strength. Sunday’s game against UST will be a crucial opportunity for the Fighting Maroons to regain their momentum and make a strong start to Round 2.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]