After comeback wins, the UP Fighting Maroons hit the ground running in a lopsided win over Katipunan neighbors, the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The UP Fighting Maroons were able to shake off their habit of slow starts when they started out strong against Katipunan neighbors Ateneo Blue Eagles in the second round of UAAP Season 87 on Wednesday night.
Though trailing by six points, 10-4, in the first half of the period, UP was able to recover just as quickly as they ended the opening period ahead by a bucket, 17-15.
From that point on, it was all the Diliman squad as they slowly but surely built a convincing lead. A pivotal 15-0 run to begin the third quarter built the cushion they needed to assert mastery over the Blue Eagles.
Even as they held the advantage for most of the game, the Fighting Maroons hardly took their foot off the gas pedal as they led by as much as 30 points, 75-45, in the final minute of the ball game.
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The eventual score was 75-47. The 28 point gap is the biggest winning margin against Ateneo under coach Tab Baldwin, according to statistician Pong Ducanes.
After the match, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde praised his team for being able to adjust to Ateneo’s game plan.
“For me, we started out well nung game. I guess I could say we adapted to the changing defense of Ateneo a while ago,” said the soft-spoken coach.
“The team was able to adapt right away. We were able to move the ball and at the same time, we were able to get the ball inside which you know, one of our strengths also.”
UP’s domination inside the painted area was so big that UP’s points in the paint was only five points short of Ateneo’s total score, with 42 points on 21-of-37 shooting inside.
Apart from their intimidating presence inside, Monteverde also noted that they were able to utilize more of their teamwork this time around — with all healthy players on UP’s roster able to play as well.
Deep into the season, the Fighting Maroons are right where they want to be when it comes to chemistry.
“I would say that we, as we go along the season playing as a team, we're improving in chemistry sa team." he said.
Even as they go on a hot streak, the job is far from over for the Fighting Maroons as they still have four games left in elimination before going on to the Final Four.
Next up on their list is the free-falling NU Bulldogs on Sunday, November 3, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion where they look to push the issue for the twice-to-beat advantage.