MANILA, Philippines — The UP Fighting Maroons moved on the cusp of a first round sweep after taming the UST Growling Tigers, 81-70, in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Francis Lopez racked up 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks to pace the league-leading UP which stayed undefeated in six games.
The Fighting Maroons did the trick in the final canto where they limited the Growling Tigers to just four points in over seven minutes all the while scoring 11, that stretch enough for them to hold off the latter.
The final frame highlighted UP’s strong second half where it erupted for 41 points against UST’s 28.
The Growling Tigers dropped to 3-3, fifth in the standings.
