THE University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons routed its rivals, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 95-70, in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, on May 24, 2023 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Coming off back-to-back losses, the Maroons brought the fight to their modern-day rivals from the tip-off, with Malick Diouf scoring all but two points in their 8-0 start. A breakaway dunk from LeBron Lopez then widened their margin to 20, 31-11, early in the second quarter.

“I was satisfied with our consistency today,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde after they got back on track now at 4-2.

From there, UP remained in complete control in their first meeting against their fierce foes since the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball finals, as the Blue Eagles could only come as close as 13 with 6:29 remaining, only to be repulsed by Harold Alarcon’s seven straight points.

In the end, Diouf posted 16 points and eight rebounds, while Alarcon chipped in 16 points and three rebounds. The Fighting Maroons counted five players in double-digits, with CJ Cansino contributing 14 points as well.

Joseph Obasa was the lone player who breached double-digits for debuting Ateneo with 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds, as Mason Amos tallied nine points and seven rebounds. (JNP)