University of the Philippines clinched a twice-to-beat advantage after a 79-57 blowout of National University to end the elimination round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday night, Nov. 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Fighting Maroons claimed their first-ever top-seed finish in the Final Four era with a 12-2 record heading into the semifinals. 

With the UP win, fellow early semifinalist De La Salle Green Archers (11-3) climbed to the No. 2 spot along with the remaining twice-to-beat bonus. 

Rookie of the Year frontrunner Francis Lopez showed the way for UP with a team-high 13 points highlighted by a 5-of-8 shooting from the inside. 

Reigning MVP Malick Diouf and graduating CJ Cansino finished with 10 points each on the balanced effort. 

The Fighting Maroons were dominant from start until endgame and blasted the Bulldogs in the closing period en route to the victory. 

Jake Figueroa’s double-double outing of 15 points and 10 rebounds paced the Bulldogs on the losing end. 

NU dropped to 10-4 in the standings in the third place. 

The Scores:

UP 79 – Lopez 13, Diouf 11, Cansino 11, Felicilda 9, Torculas 7, Cagulangan 6, Gonzales 6, Alarcon 4, Pablo 4, Belmonte 3, Torres 3, Briones 2, Abadiano 0, Fortea 0, Alter 0, Gagate 0.

NU 57 – Figueroa 15, Manansala 10, John 7, Yu 6, Baclaan 3, Yu 3, Malonzo 2, Enriquez 2, Jumamoy 2, Palacielo 2, Gulapa 2, Padrones 0, Parks 0, Galinato 0, Delos Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 23-13, 42-30, 58-45, 79-57.