Bench offensive onslaught leads to tournament-high 110 points for undefeated UP

MANILA, Philippines -- The all-around performance from the whole UP roster helped the Fighting Maroons drop 110 points in their huge victory over the UST Growling Tigers, the first time a team scored more than 100 points in a game this season.

All 14 players fielded in the game by UP scored at least a field goal and scored two points.

While UP’s starters scored only 42 points compared to 69 for UST, they dropped 68 points from the bench.

The most points from the bench came from JD Cagulangan, who had 16 points and nine assists in 17 minutes.

Chicco Briones and Francis Lopez also had 14 and 11 points, respectively, off the bench in limited minutes.

Cyril Gonzales had eight points; Reyland Torres and Seven Gagate had six points apiece; Sean Torculas had three; and Sean Alter and Luis Pablo had two each.

Harold Alarcon was the lone starter of UP who finished in double digits, pouring in 21 points.

“I guess it’s part of being a team. I guess sometimes, kumbaga yung starters, mga kuya, tao rin yan. Minsan may mga sitwasyon na hindi sila nagiging consistent,” UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde told reporters after the game.

“At least alam natin from the bench, especially yung mga young guys, na-provide naman nila kailangan nilang gawin,” he added.

The bench was responsible for shooting 25 of the team’s 39 field goals. They were able to make 25-of-51 shots.

The whole team finished with a 47% field goal shooting.

The massive scoring load from the bench helped the Maroons win their fifth straight game in the UAAP, while dealing the Tigers their fifth straight loss.

UP will try to keep their streak going against a red-hot La Salle Green Archers team on Wednesday.