WHAT a difference one year made.
University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde basked in the glory of guiding the Fighting Maroons back to the Promised Land and admitted their painful loss to the erstwhile defending champions La Salle Green Archers last season motivated them.
“Alam mo being here last season, after noong last game namin, naisip ko nga kanina parang kailan lang and siyempre, napag-usapan namin as a team na we’ll come back stronger this season,” Monteverde said. “Prepare well, which you know, again I’ll give it to sa mga boys namin.
“They really worked hard this season. So, very happy with this championship this season,” he added.
Monteverde spoke after his charges held off the Archers 66-62 last Sunday night in the deciding game of their best-of-3 title series in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament.
The soft-spoken tactician said the heartache of UP’s setback in the Big Dance in the last cage wars—where the Maroons took Game 1—inspired them to get back on La Salle and give graduating star JD Cagulangan and one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown a memorable send-off.
“We’ve been here. Remember the pain last season should that make us stronger, mas motivation sa amin to bounce back, whatever happens this season,” Monteverde said. “Very happy, especially siyempre may mga nakasama ka na mawawala na, I’m very happy for them na ganito sila umalis.
“Si JD and Q. Happy ako kasi nakita ko iyong dinamdam ng team last season. Tapos makita iyong saya nila ngayon, sa akin walang kapalit iyon.”
Monteverde gave Cagulangan and Millora-Brown plaudits for giving the Katipunan-based five the much needed boost.
“Malaki talaga iyong impact niya. He’s not much of a talker but then he’s more of a doer. In practice, extra support. Trying to huddle them, talking to them… Always being there for them. Wala akong masabi,” he said of Cagulangan who was named finals MVP. “Si QMB, sabi ko nga, nakasama lang namin siya noong August lang pero parang ang feeling ko parang dalawang taon na kami magkasam.
“I mean, for somebody to experience maglaro sa States tapos pumunta dito, he’s a very humble person. Always willing to give a helping hand sa mga teamamtes niya.” – With Abby Toralba
At press time last night, a bonfire celebration was being held at the UP campus in a fitting ending to the Maroons’ campaign that looked shaky after they dropped a 75-76 setback to the Archers in Game 2 Wednesday last week.
Except they wanted it more this time, according to Monteverde.
“They really refused to lose. Talagang whatever happens, iyong habol nila, iyong paglaban sa huli,” he said. “We have some tall players, but seeing them really go for the rebound, giving up the effort na talagang gusto nila manalo.”
