Maroons open UAAP season with bang

MANILA, Philippines - Proving that the “fight” is indeed back, host University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons beat University of the East, 62-55, to get off to a winning start in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

The Maroons seized the initiative with a 13-2 start in the second quarter then repeatedly quashed every rally the Warriors unleashed in the next three periods to pick up the triumph, the first for UP opening day since a 69-61 verdict also over UE in 2011. 

“Napakasarap ng feeling na ganito resulta ng first game (It’s nice to get a good result on opening game),” said debuting coach Rensy Bajar.

Sophomore Gelo Vito rifled in 11 points spiked by three successive triples that gave UP a 56-53 cushion going to the final 4:27.

The Warriors threatened to within 55-59 on a basket by Chris Javier with still 20 seconds left. Dave Moralde got to the line and made the second of his freebies, extending the lead to five markers. UE missed an attempt from rainbow territory and in the rebound battle, Javier landed an elbow on Jerson Prado, leading to a disqualification foul for the veteran Warrior. Prado cashed in on his freebies as the UP crowd started chanting “bonfire, bonfire” in celebration.

UP is determined to make a turnaround after languishing in or near the cellar for the past years.

“Lagi kong sinasabi they have to believe they can win, that they are winners. Down the stretch ganoon ang nangyari, they kept believing they would win this game,” said Bajar.

Vito made all his three tries from beyond the arc.

“All throughout the pre-season, yun ang wino-work namin at luckily pumasok. Salamat sa coaches at teammates, binibigyan nila ako ng confidence,” said Vito.

Ed Daquioag fired a career-high 28 points while Kevin Ferrer added 24 as University of Santo Tomas turned back Adamson, 70-64, to join UP in the early lead.

Daquioag pumped in 12 markers in the payoff period, including a twisting shot that restored a 67-61 UST spread with 25.8 seconds left.

“Hindi ko inaasahan na magka-career high basta gusto ko lang ipakita ang best ko, naging okay naman ang result (I didn’t expect to come through with a career high as I just wanted to give my best),” said Daquioag, who also had three steals and the same number of rebounds.

Ferrer also hauled down eight rebounds and issued four assists to complement Daquioag’s exploits.

“Expected ko talaga na sila ang mag-lead sa team at pinakita naman nila (I expect much from Daquioag and Ferrer as team leaders and they showed it in this game),” said coach Bong dela Cruz.

The Tigers stormed to a 22-7 upperhand in the opening canto but coughed up six in the second, allowing the Falcons to creep back into the game.

Notes: The 78th Season got going with a dazzling opening ceremony with the theme “Arkipelago,” The performances were filled with ethnic flavor, with higantes, balangays carrying the logos and colors of the member schools on their sails, giant sea creatures and plants, and marching bands regularly seen in fiestas serving as major props for the 300 performers.