University of the Philippines strings twin victories heading into the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Final Four.
University of the Philippines’ last two elimination games did not matter — at least on paper, that is.
Coming into their games against Far Eastern U and University of the East with the second seeding in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Final Four already in the bag, the Fighting Maroons could have stepped off the gas pedal a bit to save their energy for the tougher task ahead.
UP, however, was on the heels of back-to-back losses against National U and reigning titleholder La Salle, and it was not just the time to slack off.
Coach Goldwin Monteverde and deputy Christian Luanzon instill the habit of winning to the UP Fighting Maroons. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
With both the Tamaraws and Red Warriors looking to keep their own semis hopes alive, the Fighting Maroons had to endure tough challenges from the lower-ranked teams.
But when the going got tough, it was UP that got going.
The Fighting Maroons struck down both FEU, 86-78, last Saturday and UE, 77-67, Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Assistant coach Christian Luanzon said that it was a relief to finally see the squad back in their right mindset.
“Obviously, there were no implications in terms of bearing, 'yung seeding for us, but just like what Coach Gold (Monteverde) would always say, every practice, every game is like a championship game for us and it’s all about habits,” said Luanzon.
“We wanted to get back into that habit of winning. But more than that, [it was] the way the players responded and executed on both ends. Sure, there’s a lot of things to clean up but, you know, it put us in a good position to win this game.” he added.
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Though UE proved to be a pesky foe who did not let up until the final quarter, there were a lot of bright spots for UP — including a 33-point performance from Harold Alarcon.
It was also a productive double-double outing for Quentin Millora-Brown who dished out 16 points and 12 rebounds, with he and Alarcon combining for more than half of the Fighting Maroons' points.
Regardless of what reflected on the stat sheet, it was more important for Luanzon and the rest of the coaching staff to see their players get back to their competitive mindset.
“First of all, a coach is never satisfied, especially si Coach Gold. I guess, it’s just a part of his greatness so to speak as a coach. You know, second, that’s what Coach Gold really wanted. After those two losses, more than the Xs and Os, is really to compete. And if there was a message sent during the practices, 'yun 'yung top of the list,” said Luanzon.
“Like I said, the last two games, I thought that was evident for us. UE for example, we thought that in stretches of the game, we had a chance to sort of blow them out. Pero they just wouldn’t quit and, obviously, this game meant a lot more for them. But seeing how guys like Harold, QMB, Maimai (Cagulangan) and the rest of the team responded inside per possession, nakita natin 'yung competitiveness nila rin.”
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And that competitiveness will be what the Fighting Maroons will tap when they face gritty University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four beginning next month.
Despite UP's twice-to-beat advantage, Luanzon said that they are eager to finish the Tigers off, whom they swept in the eliminations, as early as they can.
“In terms of results [in the elims], sure, at 2-0. But both games were closer than the final score,” said Luanzon.
“You know, UST is [a dangerous team] with the experience, with Forthsky [Padrigao] at the point, also with [Mo] Tounkara and his abilities on both ends, you have [Nic] Cabañero, and in their last game, they found sort of like a magic bunot, kung tawagin nga ni Coach Pido [Jarencio], 'yung kay [Amiel] Acido. We’re going to have to prepare for all of them. It’s going to be a good series,” he added.