In a game where University of the Philippines was down for most of the game, Gerry Abadiano caught life in the fourth quarter to help the Fighting Maroons prevail over neighbor Ateneo de Manila University, 79-75.
The graduating guard scored 16 of his 18 points in the final frame to help the Diliman-based squad claw back and improve to ten wins and three losses. The win also kept UP within striking distance of first spot.
“Securing the twice-to-beat advantage is big for us, especially towards the Final Four. But then, seeing the team bounce back, I believe we lacked energy in the first half. Towards the second half, mas nagkaroon ng energy. So they just have to keep being consistent,” asserted UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde when asked about his thoughts on the comeback win.
Seemingly unconscious in crunch time, Abadiano shared that he embraced the moment of playing hero for his team.
“Hindi lang talaga ako tumigil. Yung time na kailangan ako ng team, naging patient lang talaga ako nung una, hindi ko naman hinahanap, and dumating na siya siguro nung fourth quarter. Blessed and thankful din ako sa mga teammates ko sa paghahanap sa akin,” he said.
Despite heading into the frame in a deficit, 50-54, the defending champions showed their resolve as they burst out into a 10-4 run, 60-58.
From there, Abadiano and his fellow troops never looked back. Supplemented by Nnoruka’s six points in the fourth quarter, UP was able to keep away any attempts of an Ateneo comeback.
“I’m happy about my team because we bounced back because we really lacked energy in the first and second [quarters]. But in the fourth, you know, we got our rhythm and started playing better. So, big shoutout to my team, too,” Nnoruka said. The first year big-man finished the game with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks.
Meanwhile, the playoff picture for Ateneo got bleaker as they fell to a 5-7 win-loss record. Sophomore guard Jared Bahay had a career-high 21 points while one-and-done Kymani Ladi followed with 14 markers of his own.
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