UAAP: Lopez, Fortea shine as UP comes alive in the fourth to overwhelm UST

The UP Fighting Maroons’ Francis Lopez. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA (UPDATED) — The University of the Philippines rediscovered its form late against University of Santo Tomas to return to the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball win column.

The Fighting Maroons overwhelmed the Growling Tigers, 83-73, during their Round 2 clash, Sunday evening at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Francis Lopez led UP with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Terrence Fortea came alive in the last 20 minutes of gameplay by scoring 14 of his total 16 markers in the second half. 

"Being consistent nga with like we always said nung first round, responding to the challenge at hand," said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde on what worked for them in the last quarter.

"I believe the team in a way — nung like first half kasi, I think we've been forcing UST to miss shots most of the time — but then na-control namin yung offensive rebounds so I think the team worked together to control the rebounds nung second half."

These indeed reflected in the stats sheet as the Maroons outrebounded UST, 43-35, and they also imposed their way inside with a 34-28 advantage in points in the paint. 

Facing a 65-61 deficit with still eight minutes left in the game, State U went on a massive 16-to-2 run to overtake the España-based team, 77-67, thanks to baskets from JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, Mark Belmonte, and Reyland Torres.

Fortea went on to hit a dagger three-pointer to create an 83-73 advantage, and that was all that the Maroons needed to bounce back from their previous defeat against De La Salle University to end the first round. 

Monteverde hailed Fortea for his heroics, and he said that his performance tonight was also a matter of the whole team putting their faith in the fourth-year ace. 

"Of course, I'm very happy and proud of Terrence," he said. "Yung first three seasons nya, medyo in-and-out sya sa laro. He never had that rhythm na dapat nya makuha. But then I saw him work hard every practice.  At the same time, siyempre, success would come from his teammates also. I believe na yung shots na na-made niya, hinahanap din sya ng teammates niya so it would come with trust also."

"So kung ano man yung na-achieve niya, I would say dahil din sa tiwala ng team sa kanya and ganun din naman yung tiwala ng lahat kay Terrence," he added.

On the other hand, Mo Tounkara led UST with a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds, while Nic Cabanero and Christian Manaytay posted 17 and 12, respectively.

The Scores:

UP 83 – Lopez 20, Fortea 16, Alarcon 11, Millora-Brown 10, Cagulangan 9, Bayla 4, Torres 4, Ududo 4, Belmonte 3, Stevens 2, Felicilda 0, Torculas 0, Briones 0.

UST 73 – Tounkara 24, Cabanero 17, Manaytay 12, Padrigao 5, Llemit 5, Danting 4, Robinson 4, Acido 2, Crisostomo 0, Calum 0, Lane 0, Pangilinan 0, Paranada 0, Laure 0, Mahmood 0.

Quarterscores: 18-17, 43-43, 59-62, 83-73.

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