The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons ruled the first BallOut Sports Inter-Collegiate Champions Challenge and took home the championship trophy after defeating champion teams from the college basketball leagues of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU), and Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL).
The UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team swept all their games in the inaugural season of the inter-collegiate tournament to claim victory against the National University Bulldogs, 82-63, in the final game played on April 2, 2023, at the Central Recreation and Fitness Center of New Era University in Quezon City.
The state university’s miracle shooter JD Cagulangan was named Player of the Game with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists recorded in the finals of the week-long series that served as the new champions’ team-building and pre-season event for the upcoming UAAP.
The UAAP Season 84 championship team and Season 85 finalist squad from Diliman coached by Goldwin Monteverde displayed its fighting form as the ball club dominated the Manila university coached by Jeff Napa, leading all four quarter scores:
- 1st Quarter UP 20, NU 19
- 2nd Quarter UP 34, NU 27
- 3rd Quarter UP 57, NU 41
- 4th Quarter UP 82, NU 63
UP Fighting Maroons Men's Basketball Team displays winning form towards victory at BallOut Intercollegiate Champions Challenge @upmbt FULL STORY on @GoodNewsPinas_ https://t.co/fHA2tohYOq
— Angie Quadra-Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) April 4, 2023
The UP Fighting Maroons won all their matches in the group elimination stage through the semifinals on their way to the tournament victory:
- UP vs Enderun Colleges Titans (NAASCU finalist), 68-59
- UP vs NU Bulldogs (UAAP), 74-72
- UP vs San Beda Red Lions, 78-75
- Semifinals UP vs College of Saint Benilde Blazers (NCAA finalist), 76-49
The Strong Group Realty BallOut Sports Inter-Collegiate Champions Challenge powered by Cocolife is led by tournament Commissioner and legendary Filipino coach Joe Lipa and was played among 8 championship teams that also included San Beda University Manila, Our Lady of Fatima University, St. Clare College of Caloocan Saints, and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team – the inaugural champions of the BallOut Sports Inter-Collegiate Champions Challenge!
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