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Tag: AUBL

  • UP’s Final Four dream ends as Tsinghua escapes late in Asian University Basketball League 

    UP’s Final Four dream ends as Tsinghua escapes late in Asian University Basketball League 

    The University of the Philippines proved it could trade blows with one of Asia’s top collegiate basketball programs, but one late surge was all unbeaten Tsinghua University needed to end the Fighting Maroons’ championship aspirations.

     

    UP bowed out of title contention in the 2026 Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) after absorbing a hard-fought 85-81 defeat to China’s Tsinghua University in the quarterfinals on Thursday at the Binjiang Gymnasium.

     

    Rather than being overwhelmed by the tournament favorites, the Fighting Maroons matched Tsinghua possession for possession in a contest that featured multiple momentum swings and several lead changes.

     

    The game remained deadlocked at 74-all in the closing minutes before Tsinghua finally found the separation it had been searching for. He Wenwei and Shi Kui delivered consecutive three-pointers that suddenly gave the Chinese side breathing room and shifted the pressure onto UP.

     

    The Fighting Maroons refused to fold.

     

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    UP continued to attack until the final seconds, with Gani Stevens converting a putback basket to cut the deficit to just two points and keep hopes alive. But Shi calmly buried two pressure-packed free throws to seal Tsinghua’s victory and preserve its unbeaten run.

     

    Shi finished with a game-high 26 points and six assists, leading the Chinese powerhouse into the semifinals.

     

    Rey Remogat spearheaded the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, while Veejay Pre produced an impressive double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in the losing effort.

     

    The victory sends Tsinghua to the Final Four, where it will face fellow Chinese squad Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The other semifinal will feature Taiwan’s National Chengchi University against Japan’s Waseda University.

     

    Although its championship bid has ended, UP’s campaign is not yet over. The Fighting Maroons will continue competing in the tournament’s classification round as they seek the highest possible final placing.

     

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  • UP shrugs off Korea loss, marches into Asian University Basketball League quarterfinals 

    UP shrugs off Korea loss, marches into Asian University Basketball League quarterfinals 

    University of the Philippines may have absorbed its first defeat in the 2026 Asian University Basketball League Championship, but the Fighting Maroons accomplished the objective that mattered most.

     

    Despite a 70-60 loss to Korea University on Tuesday at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China, UP punched its ticket to the quarterfinals after securing second place in Pool B.

     

    The Fighting Maroons entered the matchup already holding the inside track to the knockout stage following Monday’s victory over Japan’s Hakuoh University, allowing them to treat the clash against the unbeaten Koreans as a chance to measure themselves against one of the tournament favorites.

     

    Korea University showed why it topped the group from the opening half.

     

    The Koreans built a 15-point cushion midway through the second quarter, taking a commanding 35-20 lead behind their disciplined offense and suffocating defense.

     

    Rather than folding, however, UP responded with one of its best stretches of the game.

     

    A 10-0 burst highlighted by Chicco Briones’ three-point play suddenly cut the deficit to just five points at 35-30, giving the Fighting Maroons a chance to completely swing the momentum before halftime.

     

    That proved to be the closest they would get.

     

    Korea University immediately answered with an 11-0 run that carried over into the third quarter, restoring full control of the contest with a 46-30 advantage.

     

    UP continued to fight throughout the second half and made several pushes to trim the deficit, but every rally was met by timely baskets from the Koreans, who completed an unbeaten run through Pool B.

     

    Noy Remogat paced the Fighting Maroons with 15 points despite shooting 4-of-12 from the field.

     

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    Veejay Pre provided support with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Briones added eight points during UP’s comeback attempts.

     

    Korea University’s balanced attack proved to be the difference.

     

    Seok Jun Hwi led the way with 14 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals, while Kim Jeong Hyun Daniel also scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

     

    Yoo Min Soo and Shim Ju Eon chipped in 11 points each as four Korean players finished in double figures.

     

    The defeat did little to derail UP’s campaign.

     

    With a 1-1 record, the Fighting Maroons advanced to the quarterfinals, where a much bigger challenge awaits.

     

    Their next opponent will be the winner of Pool A, which will be determined after China’s Tsinghua University and Japan’s Waseda University battle for the top spot later Tuesday.

     

    For UP, the group stage served its purpose.

     

    The Fighting Maroons are still alive, and with the knockout rounds now beginning, every game becomes an opportunity to prove they belong among Asia’s best university basketball programs.

     

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