Maroons near redemption

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines flaunted a second-half masterclass to stun reigning champion La Salle, 73-65, and take Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals yesterday in front of 16,202 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Blanked by the Archers in the elimination rounds, the Maroons broke through when it mattered behind Quentin Millora-Brown to shore up their drive for title redemption.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena with the second-ranked UP looking to avoid a repeat of their fall last year after winning the series kickoff.

Millora-Brown dealt La Salle the most damage in UP’s telling second-half run, scoring 13 of his 17 points highlighted by an and-one poster dunk on presumptive MVP Kevin Quiambao to give the Maroons a 63-52 lead heading home.

The 6-foot-11 Filipino-American added nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block while JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez chipped in 13 points each for the wards of coach Goldwin Monteverde in their fourth straight finals appearance.

Gerry Abadiano added nine points, none bigger than the booming triple in the last 40 seconds for a 70-63 UP upperhand that dashed any comeback hope on the champion’s side.

Earlier, former seven-peat champion and unbeaten National U moved on the cusp of reclaiming queendom, scraping past titlist Santo Tomas, 72-71, in Game 1 of the  women’s finale.

Rookie Cielo Pagdulagan stood the tallest in the big, bright stage by draining the go-ahead basket while the entire Lady Bulldogs banked on their defensive teeth in crunch time to stay perfect in the season.

NU tries to complete another dream 16-0 campaign in Game 2 on Wednesday.