AFTER a few months of nonstop UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball action, the league has arrived at its last destination: the Finals.
Today, inside the storied Smart Araneta Coliseum, two squads will renew their rivalry.
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons will once again compete for the UAAP championship, this time with a more intriguing storyline.
Defending champions La Salle will attempt to repeat their dominance over UP and win back-to-back titles, while the latter will look to complete their revenge arc in their second mano-a-mano match in the finals.
With Game 1 only a few hours away, the rivals will now try to soak everything in before entering the arena to filter out the noises once the game begins, given that emotions may run high in a close encounter.
Humble as ever
Despite demonstrating their dominance and wholeness by finishing the elimination round with a 12-2 win-loss record, the Green Archers remain focused on one goal: to win the crown this year.
Throughout the season, the Taft-based squad had an unbelievable performance and dominated the Fighting Maroons.
DLSU defeated UP 77-66 in the second round, after winning 68-56 in the first.
Not to mention, in last season’s Finals, DLSU overcame a 30-point defeat in Game 1 to complete a reverse sweep by winning Games 2 and 3, and secured their first title in seven years (Season 79).
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Nonetheless, DLSU head coach Topex Robinson is unconvinced that his team will be the favorites, despite being the defending champion and undefeated against UP in their previous meeting.
“What’s obvious during those first two meetings was UP did not have a complete lineup,” emphasized Robinson, undermining the idea that DLSU is entering this season’s Finals as the favorites to win it all.
Floor general JD Cagulangan was injured at their first encounter, while Quentin Millora-Brown had to fly to the United States for his grandfather’s burial, which arrived just in time for the second.
“That’s one thing we haven’t seen and going back to our preseason meetings, they beat us twice so that’s one thing we have to remember,” he added, while humbly insisting that DLSU has a lot to prepare for.
“Again, in this Finals, it’s about how we’re gonna be prepared. We know UP is always gonna be all-out and they like to be the best that they could be. And this is just gonna make us better.”
“It’s gonna challenge us and sabi nga namin we don’t really put so much on what the other team will do but we’re just gonna focus ourselves. And that’s what’s important for us,” he added.
DLSU is fortunate to have Kevin Quiambao, the soon-to-be crowned back-to-back MVP, on their side, as well as do-it-all forward Mike Phillips, sweet shooting Joshua David, JC Macalalag, and Raven Gonzales.
Locked and loaded
Quiambao has been the buzz of the town on social media this week, with speculations spreading that he has already accepted a P22.6 million deal with the Korean Basketball League (KBL) and is leaving DLSU.
However, DLSU’s very own alumni group, Rektikano.net, instantly debunked it, urging netizens to quit spreading lies and dirty methods in order to fracture the squad and disrupt the Green Archers’ attention as they enter the Finals.
“The rumors of Kevin Quiambao leaving for the KBL on a massive contract are baseless and deliberately timed to disrupt La Salle’s championship preparations,” said in the statement.
Furthermore, the MVP provided much-needed comfort to their community by sharing the aforementioned post on his official Facebook account hours after it was made.
Screenshot from: Kevin Quiambao | Facebook
“Let’s not allow this calculated attempt to sow division and distraction to take root. Kevin is fully committed to the Green Archers, and our focus should remain on supporting the team as they strive for glory.”
“Stop sharing false information and stand firm against those who seek to undermine our campaign. STOP THE DIRTY TRICKS. JUST PLAY THE GAME. ANIMO LA SALLE!!!” the statement ended.
Nonetheless, the Green Archers are prepared to barge their way through their final obstacle. Like them, UP is not to be underestimated, especially given their desire to break their runner-up curse.
Runner-UPs no more?
The Fighting Maroons have long been regarded as one of, if not the most, stacked collegiate basketball teams in previous seasons that passed. However, it does not always convert into a title.
UP is in the Finals for the fifth time in six seasons, and they are hoping that lady luck is on their side this year after finishing second the previous two seasons. They lost against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in 1985 and DLSU in 1986.
This season, the Diliman-based team gets another chance to redeem itself following two consecutive runner-up performances. The Goldwin Monteverde-coached squad has one goal in mind: to finish the season as winners.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Sa amin naman, from yung nangyari sa last season. We took that to heart sa first practice pa lang. We as a team, ‘yung goal namin is to take it one game at a time,” said UP head coach Monteverde.
“Ngayon, nandito na kami. Yan ang maganda sa finals, mag-start kami ng 0-0. It’s a best-of-three series. We’re looking forward to preparing and playing our best,” added the tactician.
Now that their entire squad is back and fit, the Fighting Maroons stand a better chance of defeating their lone rival. Cagulangan and Millora-Brown’s overdue contributions will finally be realized.
Aside from them, UP may count on its streaky shooter Harold Alarcon, who has carried a lot of the weight for the Fighting Maroons, as well as Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, and Francis Lopez, to lead them to victory.
The game will begin at 5:30 PM in the Cubao-based venue, with both teams hoping to draw first blood. La Salle is also going for a repeat for the first time in two decades, while UP hopes to retake the throne in its fourth consecutive finals trip.
