From “Atin ‘to.” to “Atin na ‘to.” UP Fighting Maroons is UAAP champion again after 36 years

The UP Fighting Maroons ended the reign of three-time UAAP champion the Ateneo Blue Eagles with a 72-69 on their do-or-die Game 3 at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, 13th of May.

 

Not even the jinx of Friday the 13th was able to stop the miraculous step-back three by JD Cagulangan that brought home the UAAP championship title to the University of the Philippines after 36 years.

 

Malick Diouf, who secured the rebound after Ildefonso’s fadeaway shot bounced off the ring, ended with 17 points and was named Finals MVP.

 

Cansino with 9 points was the one that forced the game to overtime after shooting a tying three-point shot that marked 59-all.

 

During overtime SJ Belangel and Gian Mamuyac scored shots that put both teams at 69-64 separation.

 

But JD Cagulangan with his three and Malick Diouf with his dunk put them on a tie 69-all with under forty seconds on the clock to play.

 

Ildefonso missed his shot to the championship but paved the way for Diouf’s steal and Cagulangan’s three-point victory shot.

 

UP did not only win the championship but also spoiled Ateneo SJ Belangel’s hard-earned 27 points and victory for their graduating class.

 

The Scores

 

UP Fighting Maroons (72) – Diouf (17), Cansino (14), Cagulangan (13), Rivero (9), Alarcon (8), Tamayo (6), Spencer  (5), Lucero (0), Abadiano (0), Fortea (0).

 

Ateneo Blue Eagles (69) – Belangel (27), Kouame (12), Mamuyac (10), Koon (6), Verano (5), Lazaro (5), Ildefonso (2), Tio (2), Andrade (0), Daves (0), Chiu (0).

 

Quarter Scores: (1) 17-11, (2) 31-27, (3) 46-47, (4) 59-59, (OT) 72-69 .