DEFENDING champion University of the Philippines proved it can hurdle adversity by playing together the last time out.
“As a team lagi naming pinag-uusapan na we just have to stick together, face challenges together and siguro fortunately in this game nakuha namin,” coach Goldwin Monteverde said after the Fighting Maroons hacked out a gutsy 76-71 overtime victory over Ateneo three days ago.
“But ang maganda doon kahit anong mangyari in situations sa game we were still trying to execute,” he added.
UP’s grit will be tested anew when it squares off with red-hot University of the East today in the 85th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 4:30 p.m., with the Maroons gunning for the solo lead, while UE is seeking a third straight win.
The Blue Eagles take on Adamson University at 1 o’clock, while National University tries to keep the lead when it collides with La Salle at 11 in the morning.
The Growling Tigers face winless Far Eastern University at 6:30 in the evening.
Monteverde is not one to look past the Red Warriors, who will go into the duel on a high, having scored a 78-68 triumph over University of Santo Tomas last Sunday.
“Walang team ang dapat pabayaan this season, kumbaga lahat dapat paghandaan. Right now, we’re just really focusing on ourselves, trying to improve in every game kung sino man ang kalaban namin,” Monteverde said. “I think since UE ang kalaban, we’ll really prepare for them and iyon ang agenda namin.”
The likes of Carl Tamayo, Terrence Fortea, 6-foot-11 Senegalese import Malick Diouf, James Spencer, Zavier Lucero, and the returning JD Cagulangan are expected to carry the fight for the Maroons in their bid to raise their 4-1 card.
“We haven’t accomplished anything yet. We are 3-2 right now. Maganda iyong standing,” UE strategist Santiago said. “Pero hindi kami mag-i-stick doon. We will prepare for UP.”
Luis Villegas, Kyle Paranada and Nikko Paranada, Jojo Antiporda, and Gani Stevens will be counted upon by the Warriors in their attempt to improve their 3-2 mark.
