Nnoruka, UP begin post-'Maroon5' era with win over UST

MANILA, Philippines -- The new-look University of the Philippines heralded the new era with a win, slaying the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 92-85, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Now playing without the famed “Maroon 5”, UP banked on old reliable Francis Nnoruka to outgun UST. 

Nnokura flexed his muscles inside with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Miguel Yniguez and Rey Remogat produced 11 points apiece, while Sean Alter had nine off the bench. 

UST led two, 62-60, in the third quarter after a deuce by Collins Akowe. 

But 11 straight UP points, capped by a jumper by new recruit Veejay Pre, pushed them to a 71-62 lead with 8:44 remaining. 

An and-one play by Mark Llemit broke the run, 65-71, as UST tried to claw back. 

The Diliman-based squad, though, kept the pressure on as Arvie Poyos, Nnoruka, Remogat and Yniguez teamed up. 

An Akowe short stab made it a 74-82 deficit with 2:50 remaining, but Remogat answered with a 3-pointer. 

Amiel Acido tried to rally UST back with a triple of his own, but a Remogat trey iced the game, 88-77, with 1:23 left. 

Gani Stevens and new additions Rainer Maga and Poyos had eight each for UP. Pre had seven in his Fighting Maroons debut.

Llemit top-scored the Growling Tigers with 19 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals. Acido had 18 points, while Collins Akowe produced 13 markers and 18 boards. Ice Danting provided the spark off the bench with 11 points. 

UST will try to bounce back on Wednesday against La Salle, while UP will return to action next Saturday against Ateneo.