Maroons rule Filoil Cup

MANILA, Philippines —  The University of the Philippines Maroons wrote another page in the history books.

UP stunned erstwhile unbeaten La Salle, 87-76, and annexed its first Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup title yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Rookie Mark Belmonte rose to the occasion, firing 18 points on 3-of-4 shooting from downtown to lead the way in only 18 minutes of play as UP handed La Salle its first but huge defeat in the 20-team collegiate preseason tilt.

Francis Lopez added 16 points, Malick Diouf hauled down a 10-11 double-double plus three blocks with JD Cagulangan and skipper CJ Cansino turning in 10 apiece.

Tournament MVP Harold Alarcon had nine as the Maroons added another feather on their cap after ending a 36-year title drought in the UAAP Season 85 last year. In Season 86 this year, they finished runner-up to Ateneo.

“I’ve always seen his potential. He had his struggles pero ‘yung character we have in our team, he never stopped, ‘yun yung ayaw kong mawala sa kanya. I’m very happy for Mark,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde of Belmonte.

“We have a lot of respect for La Salle. They’re a really strong team. Ang maganda on our part, we really prepared for this and thankfully it showed.”

Belmonte fired 12 of his total output in UP’s game-changing run in the first half, unleashing a 23-4 tear to break away from a 22-all deadlock for a commanding 45-26 lead.

UP never stepped on the break from there on, erecting its biggest lead at 71-50 midway through the third period off a Belmonte triple.

The backcourt duo of Evan Nelle (19) and Mark Nonoy (13) put up a gallant fight but ace forward Kevin Quiambao bled for only seven points in the fall of the Green Archers.