UAAP: Transferees James Payosing, Veejay Pre star as UP crushes Ateneo - GMA Network

James Payosing and Veejay Pre erupted in the second half to spark University of the Philippines’ late breakaway en route to a 94-75 win against Ateneo de Manila University in the UAA Season 89 on Saturday.

The two transferees, who only scored eight points in the first half combined, fueled Fighting Maroons’ 48-point explosion in the last two quarters as they remained unbeaten at 2-0.

The 19-point victory also allowed UP to extend its mastery of its ‘Battle of Katipunan’ rival to seven straight wins. The last time Ateneo beat UP was during first round of Season 86 in 2023, with the Fighting Maroons winning their six head-to-head matches since then.

Former San Beda star Payosing dropped 16 points, including 11 in the second half, to go with three rebounds and two assists while Pre, a former top rookie from FEU, atoned for a three-point outing in the first half to tally 14 markers, nine boards, and two dimes.

Rey Remogat also shone with 14 points laced with two rebounds, three assists, and two steals as they dealt Ateneo its first loss of the season.

The three connived to stop Ateneo in the second half.

Down one at the half, UP went on a 12-3 run to open the third behind Remogat and Francis Nnoruka to create a 58-49 lead before Payosing took over to send UP to a 66-55 cushion as Ateneo main gunners Kieffer Alas and Jared Bahay both struggled offensively in the frame adter dropping 10 points each in thr first half.

Ateneo couldn’t get out of that hole.

Payosing and Pre traded triples late in the fourth to steer the Fighting Maroons to a massive 85-65 lead before the rest of the UP bench complete the thrashing.

UP has now beaten two dark horses of the season after a 92-85 escape of University of Santo Tomas last Sunday in the opener.

UP 94 — Payosing 16, Remogat 14, Pre 14, Nnoruka 12, Stevens 9, Ogana 7, Maga 6, Poyos 4, Alter 4, Yñiguez 4, Franco 4, Andres 0, Palanca 0, Briones 0, Bayla 0.

Ateneo 75 — Bahay 17, Alas 13, Roberts 9, Espinosa 8, Baruwa 8, Tuano 5, Leal 5, Urbina 3, Rogers 3, Bongo 2, Cainglet 2, Espina 0, Kapihe 0.

Quarters: 17-18, 46-45, 66-55, 94-75.