MANILA -- Most of the current University of the Philippines students were not yet born the last time its men's basketball team made the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) semifinals.
After a huge win on Wednesday night, they will finally get to see the Fighting Maroons in the Final Four battle.
UP booked the third seat in the UAAP playoffs after drubbing La Salle, 97-81, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Maroons pulled away from the Green Archers late in the first quarter and early in the second, ending the period on a 19-1 run to overturn a 11-16 deficit to a 30-17 lead.
UP even stretched the gap to 26 points and never looked back.
Juan Gomez De Liano poured in 27 points, three rebounds, and four assists, while older brother Javi added 19 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block for the Maroons, which secured the third seed in the process regardless if the FEU Tamaraws join them and the Archers in a tie at 8-6. The Maroons will face the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the semis.
Justine Baltazar collected 22 markers, seven boards, two dimes, and one block for La Salle, which now hopes for an Adamson win against FEU to secure an outright Final Four berth. An FEU win will force a wildcard showdown against La Salle for the fourth seed.
Meanwhile, Ateneo romped University of Sto. Tomas, 102-62, in a non-bearing game to open the doubleheader.
Angelo Kouame put up 22 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals for the Blue Eagles, which finished their elimination campaign at 12-2. They will face either FEU or La Salle in the semis.
Renzo Subido fired 18 points, three rebounds, and one steal for UST, which bowed out of competition at 5-9.
Box Scores
First Game
Ateneo 102 – Kouame 22, Navarro 17, Mendoza 9, Andrade 9, Go 8, Ravena 6, Asistio 6, Nieto Ma 5, Nieto Mi 5, Black 4, Verano 4, Daves 4, Belangel 3, Wong 0, Tio 0, Mamuyac 0
UST 62 – Subido 18, Agustin 15, Marcos 13, Mahinay 6, Huang 4, Lee 2, Ando 2, Cosejo 2, Bataller 0, Zamora 0, Bonleon 0, Caunan 0
Quarterscores: 34-13, 58-31, 83-42, 102-62
Second Game
UP 97 – Ju. Gomez de Liaño 27, Ja. Gomez de Liaño 19, Akhuetie 16, Desiderio 10, Manzo 6, Jaboneta 5, Dario 5, Tungcab 3, Gozum 2, Lim 2, Prado 2, Murrell 0, Vito 0.
DLSU 81 – Baltazar 22, Melecio 19, Caracut 12, Samuel 8, Santillan 6, Montalbo 5, Serrano 5, Bates 2, Manuel 2, Dyke 0.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 52-29, 75-54, 97-81 (PNA)
