BY Nikole Javier
Malick Diouf fired a career-high 20 points to lead the defending champion University of the Philippines to a 91-70 victory over Adamson in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Diouf finished on a 7-of-11 shooting from the field apart from eight rebounds and five steals to help the Fighting Maroons climb to an 8-1 record.
The Fighting Maroons shrugged off the blistering 14-2 run of the Soaring Falcons in the second quarter and unloaded a backbreaking assault in the second half to put the game out of reach.
“We need to improve iyong defense namin. Going towards sa season, we need to work on that. Be consistent, nothing about ‘yong standing where we’re at now,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Unlike their first-round meeting which ended in an overtime win for UP, the Fighting Maroons gave the Falcons no time to answer their torrid offensive display.
Lastimosa, who finished with 19 points for Adamson (3-5), had to see the Falcons falter as he was carried away from the court after landing on JD Cagulangan’s foot with 5:42 to go in contest.
The Scores:
UP 91 -- Diouf 20, Tamayo 18, Lucero 14, Fortea 12, Alarcon 9, Cagulangan 8, Galinato 8, Spencer 1, Calimag 1, Gonzales 0, Abadiano 0, Ramos 0.
ADAMSON 70 -- Lastimosa 19, Manzano 10, Sabandal 9, Douanga 8, V. Magbuhos 8, Yerro 7, Hanapi 5, Colonia 3, Barcelona 1, Flowers 0, Jaymalin 0, Torres 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, W. Magbuhos 0.
Quarters: 28-25, 50-45, 69-57, 91-70.