Remogat, Nnoruka fuels UP’s fourth-quarter surge over UST

PHOTO CREDITS: UAAP Season 89 Media Team

University of the Philippines opened its UAAP Season 89 Men's Basketball Tournament campaign with a 92-85 victory over University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, September 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UST took an early 24-22 lead after the opening quarter and even led 48-44 at halftime. The Growling Tigers had an early scare when Gelo Crisostomo went down in the first quarter, but the forward returned and continued playing.

UP answered in the third, outscoring UST, 22-14, to take a 66-62 lead heading into the final frame.

The Maroons then boosted bigtime in the fourth quarter behind Noy Remogat. After an Amiel Acido connection from deep, Remogat answered with a three of his own before Francis Nnoruka followed with a dunk to push UP ahead, 90-79.

UST trimmed the deficit to eight, 90-82, with 21 seconds left, but Migs Yñiguez sank two free throws to put the game away.

Nnoruka led the Maroons with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Remogat and Yñiguez each finished with 11 points. Veejay Pre added seven points in his return to UAAP action.

Mark Llemit led the Growling Tigers with 19 points, while Acido chipped in 18. Collins Akowe posted 13 points and 18 rebounds.

UP moves to 1-0 in Season 89 and next faces Ateneo in the Battle of Katipunan on September 19. UST, meanwhile, drops to 0-1 and returns to action against defending champion La Salle on September 16.

The Scores:

UP 92 — Nnoruka 18, Remogat 11, Yñiguez 11, Alter 9, Poyos 8, Stevens 8, Maga 8, Pre 7, Payosing 5, Briones 5, Bayla 2, Palanca 0.

UST 85 — Llemit 19, Acido 18, Akowe 13, Danting 11, Buenaflor 8, Jumawan 6, Cañete 5, Sevilla 5, Porter 0, Crisostomo 0, Alao 0, Manding 0, Esteban 0.

Quarterscores: 24-22, 44-48, 66-62, 92-85