AN opponent fighting wounded should pose a world of trouble.
University of the Philippines knows this, which explains why the Fighting Maroons are not looking past the National University Bulldogs, who lost Malian big man Mo Diassana to a season-ending knee injury against defending champion La Salle last Sept. 8.
“Si coach Jeff (Napa) naman, iyong history niya as a coach from high school hanggang dito sa seniors, alam naman nating palaban lagi ang team niya,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said. “So, whether he has a FSA (foreign student athlete) or not, obviously proven na in the last two games na even almost leading against La Salle and winning via come-from-behind pa (against FEU).
“I think we just have to match their intensity. We have to match that or surpass that and hopefully, we could give them a good fight,” he added.
The Maroons’ grit will be tested anew when they eye a share of the early lead against the Bulldogs today in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game is set at 6:30 p.m. after winless squads University of the East and Far Eastern University, both win 0-2 slates, seek a breakthrough triumph in the curtain-raiser at 4:30.
NU, which wound up third in the last two seasons, gave La Salle fits in a 75-78 loss before crashing the winner’s circle with a 62-60 squeaker over the Tamaraws last Saturday that improved its record to 1-1.
The likes of PJ Palacielo, Jake Figueroa, and Kenshin Padrones will be counted upon by the Bulldogs anew.
After an impressive 77-61 opening night win over Ateneo, the Maroons downed the Red Warriors 81-71 four days ago that hiked their mark to 2-0.
“Mabigat ang kalaban naming, UP, hindi kami puwedeng flat ng ganito,” Napa said after their win over FEU. “Hopefully masolusyunan namin ito, hindi naman problema, naging mas masamang approach namin coming into our first quarter so para hindi na maulit para sa mga remaining games namin.”
UP will draw strength from JD Cagulangan, Mark Belmonte, Harold Alarcon, and Francis Lopez.
Aching to redeem themselves from two straight bridesmaid finishes, the Maroons are looking good so far. NU should give them a stern test.
