Super typhoon

It was the big men’s turn to put on a show for University of the Philippines (UP).

Francis Nnoruka and Sean Alter shared the spotlight in wreaking havoc deep inside the paint in the repeat-seeking Fighting Maroons’ 70-61 victory over University of the East to draw closer to a Final Four seat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.

UP overwhelmed the also-ran and winless Red Warriors with its size to string its fourth straight win for a firmer hold of the second spot with an 8-3 win-loss record.

In the second game, solo leader National University secured at least a playoff for a Final Four seat after a 66-65 escape over Adamson University.

The Bulldogs completed an elimination round sweep of the Falcons for their third straight win to improve their league-leading record to 9-2.

Jake Figueroa led NU with 13 points while Mark Parks added 10 points, capped by his game-winning go-ahead three-point play in the last 10.9 seconds.

The Falcons slipped to a 5-6 slate after a second straight defeat.

Meanwhile, in light of the inclement weather brought by Severe Tropical Storm “Uwan,” the UAAP announced that all scheduled basketball, collegiate men’s football, and high school volleyball games on Sunday, 9 November, are postponed.

At the center of the Fighting Maroons’ crushing of the also-ran and winless Red Warriors were frontliners Nnoruka and Alter, who pushed celebrated high-scoring guards Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea and Noy Remogat in the backseat as they took over on offense.

Nnoruka submitted a double-double of 16 points in a 5-of-9 shooting from the field and 12 rebounds while adding four blocks, four assists, and one steal for UP, which not only fanned its semifinals hopes but also strengthened its bid for the coveted twice-to-beat advantage.

Alter contributed 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting, pulled down six rebounds with two blocks, and one assist for the Fighting Maroons, who led by as many as 26 points.

“Well, I guess that’s the effect because our team is heavy on guards. Sometimes, I guess, as the saying goes, maybe they take their poison. Just like Sean and Francis, they just seized opportunities to play,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said.