Malick Diouf gets UP back on track with rout of Adamson

Reigning MVP Malick Diouf helped University of the Philippines dismantle Adamson, 77-51, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Fighting Maroons were dominant from start until endgame to quickly bounce back from their 99-89 defeat against the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles last week and improved 7-1 in the standings.

Diouf led UP’s balanced attack with another double-double showing of 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Reyland Torres and Francis Lopez also finished in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Fighting Maroons lost JD Cagulangan before the break in what looked like a non-contact injury.

But UP managed to rely on a strong 23-9 second quarter to double on Adamson at the break, 40-20.

Jerom Lastimosa, who made his debut in his final season with Adamson, only lasted eight minutes on the floor before he had to be carried back to the dugout due to possibly another injury.

The star guard made his appearance in the opening quarter and made his first field goal off a triple at the 9:17 mark of the following quarter.

UP, though, continued to lead massively over Adamson the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, no Adamson player breached the double-digit scoring, with Joshua Yerro and Eli Ramos only finishing with seven points apiece.

The Soaring Falcons continued to slide for three games in a row for a 3-5 slate.

The Scores:

UP (77) – Torres 12, Diouf 12, Lopez 11, Alarcon 9, Torculas 7, Felicilda 7, Gonzales 7, Briones 3, Belmonte 3, Cansino 3, Abadiano 2, Alter 1, Cagulangan 0, Gagate 0, Pablo 0.

AdU (51) – Yerro 7, Ramos 7, Montebon 6, Ojarikre 6, Calisay 6, Canete 4, Lastimosa 3, Manzano 3, Anabo 3, Magbuhos 2, Colonia 2, Sabandal 2, Erolon 0, Barcelona 0, Hanapi 0, Barasi 0.

Quarterscores: 17-11, 40-20, 58-38, 77-51