Former Ateneo High School player Francis Lopez scored 20 against the Blue Eagles, helping the UP Fighting Maroons improve to 9-1 in UAAP Season 87.
Former Ateneo High School standout Francis Lopez led the UP Fighting Maroons to a resounding 75-47 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Lopez dominated against his former school, scoring 20 points on an impressive 7-of-9 shooting and adding five rebounds, dealing four-time UAAP champion Tab Baldwin his largest loss with Ateneo.
Lopez’s impact was felt especially during a game-breaking 15-0 UP run in the third quarter, which left Ateneo scoreless for nearly half the frame.
This 28-point margin marked the biggest defeat for Ateneo under Baldwin, as noted by UAAP statistician Pong Ducanes.
UP, which had already secured a Final Four spot, improved to 9-1, while Ateneo fell to 3-8 after their fourth straight loss, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy.