Alarcon powers UP to a UAAP elimination round sweep of NU

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Kryptonite confirmed.

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons brought out the brooms and completed an elimination round sweep of the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 78-74, during the second round of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Oct. 22, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Senior scorer Harold Alarcon led the Fighting Maroons to a 2-0 sweep of NU. He played his best game of Season 88 so far, delivering a clinical 24-point performance with four assists and three rebounds.

After UP nearly fumbled its 18-point lead when the Bulldogs came back in the second half, the Fighting Maroons turned to their ever-reliable offensive star, who buried several haymakers that sucked the life out of NU in the final canto.

The Bulldogs came close to just two points with 8:26 remaining in the game, 57-55, but Alarcon swished a perimeter bucket that put UP back ahead by four points, 59-55.

In the course of the dogfight, NU tried its best to keep within striking distance, but Alarcon’s demoralizing answers helped UP protect its lead until the final buzzer sounded.

Poised and composed in the clutch, Alarcon sent the early dagger after UP completed a steal, laying up the leather to extend the Fighting Maroons’ cushion to seven points, 73-66, with only 1:53 remaining.

Alarcon’s clutch genes were also tested in the final stretch, but his experience rose to the occasion as he carried UP to the finish line with four much-needed free throws.

It was all UP from the get-go, as the UAAP defending champions blew the game wide open with an early 18-point lead in the first quarter, 22-4.

Just when the Fighting Maroons thought they could sustain their firepower and consistent perimeter coverage, the Bulldogs — led by MVP candidate Jake Figueroa — nearly staged a comeback when they reverted to their brand of basketball in the half-court sets.

When the game slowed down and NU neutralized UP’s high-octane attack, the seesaw battle began to favor the Bulldogs as they hung tight in the second half, courtesy of Figueroa, Paul Francisco, and PJ Palacielo.

However, Alarcon entered beast mode in the second half and was nearly unstoppable, backstopped by Rey Remogat’s much-needed conversions that helped UP improve to five wins and three losses.

On the other hand, the Bulldogs dropped to six wins and two losses, with both of their defeats handed by the Fighting Maroons.