UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon lambasts players for immature decision making in sorry loss to La Salle in round 2 of UAAP Season 87.
UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon was candid about why the Fighting Maroons lost anew in their rivalry game against the DLSU Green Archers last November 10, blaming “immaturity” across players in the talent-laden squad.
After squandering an 11-point lead in the second quarter against the defending champions, Luanzon said that it was disappointing not because they lost, but rather how the loss came about — that is, brought about the team’s own mistakes.
[RELATED: Red-hot La Salle asserts mastery over UP to clinch top seed of UAAP Season 87]
“I would say [the loss], it's not a cause for alarm but really more of a cause for concern. It's not because we lost, it's more of yung immaturity namin para matalo ng ganun in both games,” Luanzon said, referring also to UP’s blowout loss at the hands of NU earlier this month.
“In this game in particular, we led as much as 11 points you could say that the first 15 minutes of the game that you felt yung control namin sa laro on both ends but a lot of immature decisions on both ends [happened],” he added — making special mention of Francis Lopez’ altercation with La Salle’s Vhoris Marasigan.
Apart from the incident that got the players with double technical fouls, there wasn’t a shortage of other miscues for the Fighting Maroons against La Salle, even though their players — at least in the eyes of Luanzon — should have already learned to deal with it.
But with a silver lining of still finishing in the top-2 at the end of eliminations regardless of their last two games, Luanzon said that is the perfect time to finally absorb all the lessons that they need to learn.
“Part of growth as a player is experiencing yung mga ganitong klaseng laro. I mean, as much as we wanna kid ourselves that this is just another game, you know, we know that every time… whether it's Ateneo-La Salle or Ateneo-UP, or La Salle-UP, it feels more than that. And as teenagers… yung mga ganong bagay, kahit na paalala mo, Kailangan lang pagdaanan eh,” said Luanzon, who previously played for UAAP side UST as well.
“So yun yung kagandahan dito, because I know that we've reached what the finals for the last four seasons. But you look at our team, marami dyan mga inexperienced, immature pa. Only in their second season, some in their first season,” he added.
But with 12 games already under their belt this season and their other experiences even during the pre-season, Luanzon is hoping to see a better side of his players when they come back to action next weekend.
“[Experience,] that's something that you cannot teach. Experience, maturity, it comes with it. So hopefully, maging… Talagang matuto kami rito,” he said.
“Not only yung mga binanggit kong pangalan, but especially as a group. Kasi we're also relying on the players who've been there like sila Maimai [Cagulangan], sila Harold [Alarcon], sila Gerry [Abadiano] to lead them as well. So it goes both ways,” he continued.
Though their last two games in the elimination round will hold no bearing for UP, the Fighting Maroons will look to arrest a two-game skid and enter the semis with momentum.
They return to action on Saturday against the FEU Tamaraws at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.