“Kung titignan mo yung first game, we moved the ball better today. As a team, nag-i-improve kami and we just have to be consistent,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde.

Zavier Lucero in bond with Ricci Rivero led the team by marking 14 points each without a sweat as they infiltrated the holes in the defense of the Red Warriors to end the first frame with a 17 points advantage.

Yet UE was not able to fill the void against UP, despite the efforts of Clint Escamis to close the 20 points deficit after the three of Rivero at 6:07 minutes mark on the shot clock followed up by a loose ball to give an easy three to the Diliman-squad again.

The Fighting Maroons kept giving relentless shots in the third quarter and commandeered the game after scoring 15 points with seven minutes bygone in the clock while UE, at that time, added three points, 71-45.

While it was Rivero who gave his numerous-successful side step signature shots, coach Monteverde averred that Lucero did well in taking the team to the victory.

“Malaking bagay ginagawa niya. Hindi lang naman sa pag-score kundi sa rebounds at defense niya. Talagang, he is really perfect for a team. Yung mga nagiging contribution niya ay malaki,” he explained.

UP finished the last quarter in no time as Cj Cansino helped the team with his 10 points while Malick Diouf marked seven points from which a dunk was thrown down at the 2:30 mark that cut deeper the UE to close at 81-66.

The Fighting Maroons now stand at a 3-1 win-loss situation while UE remained winless, 0-4.

The Scores: 

UP 81 – Lucero 14, Rivero 14, Cansino 10, Tamayo 8, Diouf 7, Spencer 7, Calimag 6, Cagulangan 4, Abadiano 2, Webb 2, Eusebio 2, Lina 2, Catapusan 2, Fortea 1, Alarcon 0. 

UE 66 – Escamis 16, K. Paranada 13, Pagsanjan 12, Catacutan 5, Lorenzana 5, Pascual 5, Guevarra 4, Tulabut 2, Sawat 2, Beltran 1, P. Cruz 1, Abatayo 0, N. Paranada 0, J. Cruz 0, Antiporda 0. 

Quarters: 31-14, 50-32, 71-45, 81-66