TWO TOWERS. University of the Philippines center Malick Diouf tries to score against University of the East slot man Precious Momowei during the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men's basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (Oct. 4, 2023). The Fighting Maroons won the game, 84-69. (Photo from UAAP)
MANILA – The University of the Philippines stamped its class over the University of the East, 84-69, to notch its second win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 men's basketball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-11 Malick Diouf of Senegal, the reigning Most Valuable Player, finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals in 26 minutes of action.
CJ Cansino also had a brilliant game, coming up with 17 points that included three triples, four rebounds, two assists and one steal for the Fighting Maroons, who took a 49-28 lead at halftime.
Filipino-Nigerian Francis Lopez added nine points to go with four assists, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal, while JD Cagulangan, who had five points, made six assists and two steals.
UP defeated Adamson University, 68-51, last Sunday for its first win.
"We saw how UE played against UST and they were able to execute on halfcourt and in transition. Our advantage in this is that we were able to keep our composure," UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said.
Precious Momowei scored 12 points on top of 22 rebounds for UE, which absorbed its first loss after beating University of Santo Tomas, 80-70, in the opener last Saturday. The 6-foot-9 Nigerian, who played for 39 minutes, also had two assists, two blocks and one steal.
Rey Romogat chipped in 11 points on top of eight rebounds and had seven assists and one steal, while Abdul Sawat and Ryzel Gilbuena scored nine and eight points, respectively.
Joining UP on top of the standings is National University, which prevailed over Far Eastern University, 71-65, in the other game. The FEU Tamaraws absorbed their second consecutive loss. (PNA)
