THE unbeaten University of the Philippines will face De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena later this afternoon.
The top-seeded Fighting Maroons defeated the University of Santo Tomas 110-79 last Sunday to improve to 5-0. This is their best start since 1997, when they started 4-0.
Meanwhile, the Green Archers are eager to avenge a painful 77-80 loss to the tenacious NU Bulldogs last Sunday, which dropped them to a tie for third place in the team standings with a 3-2 record.
UP Fighting Maroons
Despite their perfect record, JD Cagulangan believes that the team must maintain their hunger and not let their victories cloud their judgment.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“Siguro ano lang, ‘wag magiging kumpyansa sa lahat ng bagay, mapa practice man or game. ‘Yung goal naman namin start palang ng season is makuha yung pinaka-potential ng team, kumbaga malaro namin ‘yung pinaka-pontential namin,” says the veteran guard Cagulangan.
“Kailangan lang i-regroup ‘yung team namin na walang kukumpyansa. Para sa akin magstart yun sa training namin kung paano namin dadalhin ‘yung sarili namin, and of course ‘yung disiplina sa isa’t isa,” he added.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde believes that while the squad has been playing well, it is still far from reaching the full potential that he wants from his players.
“Talking about ‘yung full potential ng team, I think malayo pa kami. We need to work on many things, but ano naman kami, we’re still a work in progress. Habang tumatakbo naman ‘yung season ayun naman ‘yung goal namin,” the strategist explained.
“Syempre La Salle, we don’t know anong team mayroon sila this season. Kami naman every team na makakalaban, we really prepare for every team we’re going to face,” he says.
DLSU Green Archers
Topex Robinson, head coach of the Green Archers, makes no excuses for coming short of a victory against a tough opponent in NU.
“We know how deadly NU is, they have so much experience coming into this ball game, they really are playing well,” that’s what he said. “It is what it is. We lost by three points, no excuses for that.”
The sole bright spot for the LaSallians was Kevin Quiambao’s effort, who led the Green Archers with 25 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Mark Nonoy had ten points to follow him, and Evan Nelle had nine points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Kevin Quiambao, who was outstanding in their previous game, views the team’s painful setback as a learning experience.
“Everyday naman is a learning process gaya ng sabi ni coach,” he lamented. “Sinasabi nga ni coach sa amin, dapat wala kang panghihinayangan. Dapat ginawa pala namin tong ganitong situation.”
“For me, sobrang feel bad ko sa larong ‘to, dahil may mga instances na feeling namin sa amin na. Dun sa last two possessions ‘di ko na-control ‘yon.”
The sophomore-star for Green Archer is looking forward to facing the Fighting Maroons this afternoon, and believes that the team will be ’16-man strong’ going into the game.
The Fighting Maroons will face the Green Archers in the final game of the quadruple-header at 6 p.m.
