Those freebies were costly, but that’s not exactly what led to the loss.
La Salle Green Archers coach Topex Robinson would rather not focus on Mike Phillips muffing a pair of crucial free throws in the aftermath of their 80-77 overtime loss to the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.
With 12.9 ticks remaining and the game tied at 67, Phillips botched a pair of free throws that could have given the Green Archers the lead—andpotentially the win. NU guard Nash Enriquez botched the possession on the other end, while CJ Austria’s heave from near the half court hit only the backboard.
The game went into overtime where Patrick Yu converted five straight points that proved to be the difference.
While it’s comfortable to think about what could have been, the amiable Robinson opted to focus on the things the Green Archers did that led to that situation.
“It’s not those free throws by Mike, but we lost by 14 rebounds. They dominated us in the paint and that’s what we're gonna focus on rather than to look at those missed free throws,” Robinson said after the match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“We’re gonna look more at what happened at the start. That’s where the focus of us (is) moving forward,” he added.
Robinson offered no excuses for the loss. The Bulldogs simply beat them, fair and square.
“Shots didn’t go our way in the crucial possessions. It didn’t favor us. It is what it is,” he said.
The Green Archers will now shift their focus on their upcoming game against the unbeaten UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday.
“Everyday is a learning process. Nangyari na nga, wala na akong magagawa. Sinasabi nga ni coach na dapat wala kang panghihinayangan,” said Kevin Quiambao, who finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
Indeed, La Salle will have to move on and move forward—or face the prospect of losing back-to-back games on Wednesday.
(MDB)