The bench continues to deliver when called upon.
The UP Fighting Maroons boosted their chances for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of UAAP Season 86 after an 86-61 drubbing of the listless UST Growling Tigers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The match saw the Fighting Maroons showing off its deep lineup as their bench contributed 73 points.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde was full of praise for the effort put in by his relievers as they improved to 11-2 in the standings.
“I think they’ve been ready for this. They’ve been practicing hard halos every day,” said Monteverde. “Good thing may mga ganitong opportunity for them to express themselves, ‘yung talent nila, and at the same time playing as a team.”
Chicco Briones, who was one of the catalysts coming off the bench, led the way for UP with 14 points on six-of-eight shooting to go along with four rebounds.
“It was an opportunity to give my best and I had to take that, give my best, and put my heart out on the court. Of course, the trust is always there and I just had to give my best,” Briones said during the postgame press conference.
Briones, who has been earning more minutes as of late due to his steady play, shared the mindset he brings daily whether he gets to play or not for the stacked Fighting Maroons.
“It’s having that readiness because you don’t really know when you’re gonna go out and play,” said Briones. “To play in this team, you always have to have that even if you have the big minutes.”
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With the win, UP secured at least a playoff for the number two spot.
The Fighting Maroons will close out their elimination round against the NU Bulldogs on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. That game day will have several repercussions regarding the Final Four picture.
The Growling Tigers, meanwhile, will look to end their season on a positive note against the FEU Tamaraws, the only team they’ve beaten in the tournament, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(PM)