How UP’s sloppy play led to this season’s biggest upset by NU

Photo: UAAP Media Team

In what can be considered the biggest upset of UAAP Season 87, the league-worst NU Bulldogs handed the title-contending UP Fighting Maroons just their second loss of the season, a result driven largely by UP’s uncharacteristically sloppy play. Coming off a 9-1 record and a season defined by efficient offense, UP faltered on multiple fronts, allowing NU to dictate the game and secure a surprising victory on Sunday at the University of Santo Tomas.

UP’s struggles were evident in nearly every aspect of their game. Despite their well-known dominance in the paint, the Fighting Maroons were forced to settle for outside shots against NU’s well-executed zone defense – a strategy similar to what Adamson nearly employed successfully against UP two games ago. The result was a disastrous shooting performance, with UP hitting only 26.2% from the field (17-of-65). While they launched 29 attempts from beyond the arc, they managed to make only four, highlighting their discomfort from long range.

Ball security was another major issue for UP, as they turned the leather over 30 times – setting a season-high for any UAAP team. Those turnovers translated directly to NU’s offensive momentum, with the Bulldogs scoring 23 points off UP’s errors. By contrast, UP managed just four points off NU’s 24 turnovers, largely because many of NU’s errors weren’t live-ball turnovers, preventing UP from getting fast-break opportunities.

Despite getting to the line frequently, UP also struggled with their free throws, hitting only 9-of-24 attempts for a disappointing 37.5%. Adding to their woes, the Fighting Maroons only recorded eight assists – a sharp departure from their usual fluid ball movement, as NU’s defense stifled their offensive rhythm and forced them into disorganized possessions.

Meanwhile, NU capitalized on UP’s lackluster performance with efficient shooting, hitting 44% from the field. Unlike UP, NU (3-8) relied on their strengths in the paint, where they attempted most of their 57 shots, while also connecting on 7-of-17 three-point attempts. By consistently scoring in the areas where UP struggled, the Bulldogs maintained control from start to finish.

With this shocking loss, UP (9-2) now prepares to face La Salle, the only other team to have beaten them this season, in a crucial matchup next Sunday.