Sizzling Maroons repeat over Warriors

MANILA, Philippines — Red-hot University of the Philippines trounced winless University of the East, 101-70, to notch its fifth straight triumph and reclaim solo lead in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

The Fighting Maroons jumped to a 12-point advantage in the opening frame and never stepped on the brakes on their way to a 31-point victory and a 7-2 card while dealing the Red Warriors their 29th straight loss.

UP, which scored a closer 91-81 win in the first round, had no mercy in the rematch. And the Maroons broke a tie with idle NU (6-2), in hot pursuit of a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.

Fresh from a 30-point career-best outing in a double overtime win over Santo Tomas, Veejay Pre had an efficient 14-point job in 21 minutes of play laced by six rebounds and five assists.

Gani Stevens and Choi Palanca produced 13 and 12 points, respectively, with Elliot Dimaculangan (9), Dicachi Ududo (9), Kio Franco (8), Sean Alter (8) and Miguel Yniguez (7) throwing in help in a scattered attack.

“We played so hard and sustained our energy from our last games. It’s our fifth game in the last two weeks and what we liked about it was everybody came to play,” said deputy coach Christian Luanzon.

“The excitement of the players off the bench was there and I think it’s the first game where all 16 players played. Coach Goldwin (Monteverde) is proud of that as we sustained our intensity.”

UP never trailed in the match and led by as many as 34 points.

Tope Lagat and Mo Tañedo were the lone bright spots with 23 and 11 points, respectively, for the Red Warriors.