Harold Alarcon to the rescue as UP escapes UST

Harold Alarcon shows veteran poise and leads UP past UST. (UAAP Media)

Harold Alarcon displayed veteran poise and steered reigning champion University of the Philippine to an 89-88 win over University of Santo Tomas to seize the solo second spot in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday, Nov. 5.

With Collins Akowe single-handedly keeping the Growling Tigers alive, Alarcon served as the go-to guy for the Maroons with his brilliance down the stretch which was highlighted with a turnaround jumper with 24.3 second left in the fourth quarter.

It was the answer to the pressure-packed free throws drained by Amiel Acido on the other end that made it 88-87 for a momentary lead that could have saved UST if not for Alarcon’s final basket.

The Silay, Negros Occidental native, who also had a crucial stop in the last play, starred with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Noy Remogat chipped in 19 points as the State U tightened its hold for the second spot with a 7-3 card.

UST, meanwhile, absorbed its fourth straight loss to go home with a 5-5 slate that forged a three-way tie with Adamson and Ateneo in the standings.

The Diliman-based squad also avenged its first-round loss against the Tigers, 87-67.

“Sa possession na ‘yon nag-stay present lang ako, ‘yong nasa isip ko na kahit anong mangyari na kukunin ko ‘yong tira na ‘yon,” said Alarcon.

“Talagang nag-focus lang ako, kasi kailangan namin ‘tong panalo na ‘to,” he added.

Miguel Yñiguez and Mark Belmonte provided the support offensively with 11 and nine points, respectively, while Francis Nnoruka had a quiet six-point outing.

Akowe produced 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Nic Cabañero and Acido added 18 and 10 points. Forthsky Padrigao registered two points, two rebounds, six assists, and two steals before being sidelined in the third canto due to apparent foot injury.

Free throws also proved costly for UST, which converted only 28 of 52 attempts — a missed opportunity that could have given the Tigers the edge to close out the match.

The scores:

UP (89) – Alarcon 22, Remogat 19, Yñiguez 11, Belmonte 9, Nnoruka 6, Palanca 5, Stevens 5, Bayla 4, Fortea 4, Abadiano 2, Torres 2, Alter 0, Briones 0.

UST (88) – Akowe 26, Cabañero 18, Acido 10, Buenaflor 9, Paranada 8, Llemit 8, Estacio 5, Padrigao 2, Crisostomo 2, Laure 0, Calum 0, Danting 0.

Quarterscores: 21-26, 45-47, 68-63, 89-88

— Mark Rey Montejo

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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph