Francis Lopez was quick to move on after the UP Fighting Maroons' heartbreaking defeat in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals against the DLSU Green Archers.
Francis Lopez had four chances in the final minute to tie the game or take the lead for the UP Fighting Maroons in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
However, the 21-year-old missed all his attempts from the charity stripe, allowing the DLSU Green Archers to hold on for a pulsating 76-75 comeback win to tie the series.
After the match, Lopez had no excuses for the missed free throws. Instead, he looked forward to the winner-take-all Game 3 set for Sunday, December 15.
“There’s no excuse, I just missed it. Can’t do nothing about it, move on. We still have a Game 3, another opportunity. We’re gonna be focused on that,” Lopez said, who was ironically a perfect 4/4 from the line before the last 53 seconds of regulation.
To make matters worse, Lopez also turned the ball over once within that crucial stretch.
And despite two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao missing both of his own free throws, UP failed to convert on its final attempt as Gerry Abadiano missed on his corner triple for the win.
“I believe we don’t have any timeouts. We didn’t call any timeouts in the end. We’re just looking for the open man. I had turnovers and we just couldn’t get it to Mai-mai,” Lopez explained of his live ball turnover with 15 seconds to go.
[ALSO READ: Kevin Quiambao makes up for sleepless nights after Game 1 with clutch outing in La Salle's Game 2 win]
But all is not lost yet for the Fighting Maroons, such is the luxury of winning Game 1, where Lopez starred with 13 points, six rebounds, and four blocks.
The athletic forward also shared a slight insight into what the UP dugout looked like after the heartbreaking loss.
“We’re just talking about that it’s not over. We still have Game 3. More days to prepare. It’s a do-or-die game for both teams,” said Lopez.