UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) may be floundering in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), but the Fighting Maroons’ future is bright with those coming up from their Team B.
Bright Akhuetie scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to go with one assist, one steal and three blocks in leading UP past National University Juniors B, 71-57, in the Milcu Got Skills on Monday at the Lyceum of the Philippines University gym in Intramuros, Manila.
The Maroons got off to a blazing start and never looked back behind Akhuetie, and Ervin Santiago, the Filipino-Canadian recruit who was discovered while playing for Crossover Canada in the NBTC National High School Championships, added 14 points.
Akhuetie, who transferred to UP from University of Perpetual Help after last National Collegiate Athletic Association season, will be eligible to play in the UAAP for Season 81.
UP now paces the 14-team U25 Division with an 8-1 won-loss record. They lost to fifth-running University of Batangas (5-3).
Jose Rizal University (JRU) Team B came from behind to deal Colegio de San Juan de Letran a stinging 63-56 loss.
The Knights—led by transferees Bonbon Batiller (University of the East), Christian Fajarito (College of Saint Benilde) and Larry Muyang (De La Salle University), led most of the way, but a scorching rally by the Heavy Bombers saw them eke out the win and hike their record to 4-6.
Letran dropped to 7-3, two matches behind pace-setting UP.
Dave Tecson led JRU with 18 points.
In the U19 Division, Team Delta—led by Hanz Bautista’s double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds—defeated Colegio De San Benildo, 66-58.
Team Delta improved to 4-3, while Saint Benilde dropped to 3-4 in the division, led by National University (5-1).