Francis Nnoruka and Noy Remogat formed a lethal 1-2 combo as University of the Philippines handed Ateneo its first loss with an 83-69 win to go three in a row in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Oct. 8.

After a tight contest in the first half, the Fighting Maroons seized control in the final 20 minutes of the game with Nnoruka and Remogat orchestrating the offense to blow up their lead to 19, 79-60, which they preserved until the buzzer.

Ian Espinosa and Divine Adili led the Eagles' comeback attempt, but their efforts weren’t enough with the gap too huge to conquer.

The State U climbed up in the standings with a 3-2 win-loss tally. Ateneo, on the other hand, absorbed its first loss to settle for a 4-1 slate.

“'Yong preparation namin for this game lagi naming pinaguusapan it's just one part of it... But you know, transferring it to play the way yung players execute our offense at the same time play as a team with defensively," said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. 

"I think yun yung malaking pagbabago namin and sa akin siguro, we just have to keep it up lang," he added.

The 6-foot-9 center Nnoruka collected a career-high 28 points on top of nine rebounds, four steals and one block, while Remogat registered 20 points on top of six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.

“Siguro blessed lang din talaga ako kasi 'yon nga hindi naman biro 'yong mga pinagdaanan namin as a team noong first two games,” said Remogat. "Kaya talagang pinagigihan lang namin as a team and mas nag-focus kami sa growth namin and mas tinama lang namin 'yong mga dapat naming itama."

Harold Alarcon, who ignited their run in the third quarter, dazzled as well for UP after listing 17 points which went with four rebounds, five assists, and one steal.

Shawn Tuano chalked up 17 points to spearhead Ateneo’s offense, while Kymani Ladi had 15. Jared Bahay and Adili added nine and eight points, respectively.

UP’s next showdown is set against Far Eastern University on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, while Ateneo shoots for a recovery win versus University of Santo Tomas Saturday, Oct. 11, at its own turf in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Ateneo extended its winning streak to four after dispatching UP, 78-65, to keep its spotless record intact in the women’s division.

The Blue Eagles not only improved to a 4-0 slate but also recorded their best start since Season 70 in 2007 — the same year they last captured the championship crown.

Kacey Dela Rosa powered Ateneo with a stellar all-around performance of 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while newcomer Erica de Luna and Gracie Batongbakal chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

Louna Ozar paced the Fighting Maroons with 13 points, seven boards, six assists, three steals, and a block in the losing effort.

UP (83) – Nnoruka 28, Remogat 20, Alarcon 17, Stevens 6, Yniguez 6, Abadiano 3, Torres 3, Bayla 0, Fortea 0, Palanca 0, Briones 0, Alter 0.

Ateneo (69) – Tuano 17, Ladi 15, Bahay 9, Adili 8, Espinosa 7, Ramos 6, Escobar 4, Lazo 3, Bongo 0, Espina 0, Fjellvang 0.

Quarterscores: 18-17, 40-38, 64-49, 83-69