UP advances to Asian University quarterfinals despite loss to Korea University

University of the Philippines fell to Korea University, 70-60, on Tuesday at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China, but still advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian University Basketball League Championship.

Already assured of a place in the knockout stage following Monday's victory over Japan's Hakuoh University, the Fighting Maroons finished Pool B with a 1-1 record to secure second place behind the unbeaten South Korean side.

UP will face the winner of the Pool A showdown between China's Tsinghua University and Japan's Waseda University in the quarterfinals.

The Fighting Maroons struggled early as Korea University built a 35-20 lead late in the second quarter.

UP responded with a 10-0 run, highlighted by a three-point play from Chicco Briones, to trim the deficit to 35-30 before halftime.

Korea University quickly regained control after the break, opening the third quarter with an 11-0 run to restore a comfortable 46-30 advantage.

Although the Fighting Maroons threatened to rally several times, the Koreans remained composed and completed an unbeaten run through the group stage.

Noy Remogat led UP with 15 points, while Veejay Pre added 10 points and seven rebounds. Briones chipped in eight points.

Seok Jun Hwi paced Korea University with 14 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals. Kim Jeong Hyun Daniel also scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Yoo Min Soo and Shim Ju Eon contributed 11 points apiece.