UP Fighting Maroons bag second straight win, top standings

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons secured their second consecutive win in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament by defeating the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 81-71.

This victory places UP at the top of the standings with a 2-0 record, sharing the lead with La Salle and University of Santo Tomas.

JD Cagulangan led the Maroons with 21 points, complemented by seven rebounds and four assists.

Other key contributors included Mark Belmonte and Harold Alarcon with nine points each, and Jacob Bayla, Francis Lopez, and Dikachi Ududo with seven points apiece.

Despite a strong first half where they limited UE to 29 points, UP's defense faltered in the second half, allowing 42 points.

UP's biggest lead of the game was 69-42, established late in the third quarter.

Assistant coach Christian Luanzon noted that while the team's offense flowed well, they need to improve their defensive standards as the season progresses.