The UP Fighting Maroons send the UE Red Warriors reeling to a 5th-straight loss, with a UAAP Final Four slot still hanging in the balance.
Harold Alarcon unleashed a career-high 33 points as the UP Fighting Maroons denied the UE Red Warriors once more of an outright Final Four spot, taking a 77-67 win to end their respective elimination round schedule in UAAP Season 87 on Wednesday, November 20, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Though a non-bearing game for the Fighting Maroons, Alarcon played inspired basketball to help UP end its 14-game set on a two-game win streak. The Fighting Maroons end up at 11-3 for the no. 2 seed in the semifinals.
Apart from being a personal milestone, Alarcon’s explosion also tied a tournament-high for this UAAP season — matching Kevin Quiambao’s 33-point outing against Ateneo in the second round.
UE hung around late into the fourth quarter as the Red Warriors were eager to gain entry into the UAAP semis for the first time since 2009. With 2:25 ticks remaining, Rainer Maga drilled a three to get UE within seven, 70-63.
But Alarcon scored on back-to-back baskets, including the dagger with 37.2 seconds left to put UE away for good, 74-63.
Alarcon’s career scoring night was coupled by a double-double from Quentin Millora-Brown, who finished with 16 points, and 12 rebounds. He also had two assists, and two blocks.
Meanwhile, Alarcon also had five rebounds and one steal in his stat line. UP now shifts its focus to the UST Growling Tigers in the Final Four, where the Fighting Maroons also hold a twice-to-beat advantage.
UE, for its part, was paced by Jack Cruz-Dumont’s 14 points.
The Red Warriors thus have to wait for the result of Saturday’s game between Adamson and Ateneo. Should the Soaring Falcons win, they will need to play a playoff for the fourth spot in the UAAP semis.
If Adamson loses, UE will head to the Final Four with its 6-8 record.