University of the Philippines outclassed University of the East, 69-61, to snap a harrowing 18-game losing streak spread over two years and an eight-game skid against the Red Warriors dating back to 2006.
“It was a joy to watch our guys out there. We’ve got the monkey off our back and now so we can focus playing the other teams,” said UP’s new coach Ricky Dandan.
UP wound up with a 0-14 card last season and the Maroons already improved on that with this win.
The Maroons’ last victory in the league was an 83-78 triumph over La Salle on Aug. 22, 2009. It was also their first over the Warriors since their 90-85 verdict on Sept. 3, 2006.
Not only did UE lost the game, they also face the possibility of losing starting guard Lord Casajeros for their next outing after he was levied a disqualifying foul against UP’s Anjelo Montecastro in the fourth canto. – Olmin Leyba