JET Manuel and Dave Moralde sank their charities in the endgame, sending the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to an emotional 75-71 victory over the University of the East Red Warriors on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Fans from the gallery wept and whooped it up with members of the team as the Fighting Maroons finally won again after six straight setbacks last season and three more losses this year in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
The 6-foot Manuel, who top-scored for 17 points with Paul Desiderio, broke a 71-all tie with his two charities off Paul Varilla’s foul.
Their first win, which halted a nine-game losing streak dating back to last season, meant a lot to the Fighting Maroons, who went into a frenzied celebration after Moralde converted his two freebies in the last 17.3 seconds off Edison Batiller’s foul for the final tally.
Coach Bo Perasol, who got a big hug from an ecstatic Desiderio after Moralde’s last charity conversion, reflected on the memories of the bonfire that took place at the UP Sunken Garden two years ago. The impromptu festivities came after they beat the Adamson Falcons at the end of the first round that season, celebrating the end of the Maroons’ 27-game losing skid in 2014.
“I do understand the first time UP won two years ago. They celebrated with a bonfire. We do understand that we’re struggling. Now, I have guys here who have been consistent despite the fact that we lost three games,” said Perasol.
The Warriors, who are winless after four games, missed an opportunity to pull even again Manuel’s charities went in.
They turned the ball over after Mark Olayon bungled a perimeter shot from the right side.
“We believe that the we can make it. It was big hump that we needed to get over. So we’re going to enjoy this win,” said Manuel.
Olayon showed the way for UE with 15 points, while Batiller had 14.