Fatima stuns Rivero-led UP in BBI hoops

Fatima stuns Rivero-led UP in BBI hoops

by rick olivares

Our Lady of Fatima University made their stunning sulit.ph Breakdown Basketball Invitationals debut with an 82-72 upset win over a Ricci Rivero-led University of the Philippines team last Sunday, November 25, at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.

The Fatima Phoenix played great defense on UP and they led by a whopping 18-points early in the fourth period after a layup by Rommel Diosa at the nine minute mark.

Rivero who torched Ateneo for 33 points in a win the previous weekend, scored six points in the fourth frame, but he picked up four fouls including a technical foul  --  after he complained about a non-call -- that sent him to the bench for good.

Even with their star misfiring and fouling out, UP kept plugging in behind Evyn Santiago who hit back-to-back triples to slice the lead down to 11, 78-67, with 2:12 left. Santiago had a chance to continue his heroics, but he along with Enzo Battad each botched two free throws that put a crimp on their late rally.

The Phoenix’s Cas De Vera sealed the win for his side with a lay-up with 28 seconds left for the marginal points.

Fatima held UP to 35% field goal shooting while the hit 45% of their shots. Without their Cameroonian center Bruel Kamga who got injured, the Phoenix pounded UP inside behind their Cameroonian import in Chris Essomba who finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block.

As such, Fatima which grabbed 52 boards to UP’s 38 and parleyed their strong inside play into a 44-32 advantage in inside points.

His teammate, Emil Japson also added 13 points.

Rivero finished with 16 points while Enzo Battad added 14 for the 1-1 UP Fighting Maroons.