AN unbeaten mark early this season should be enough for University of the Philippines to put its feet off the pedal–even slightly.
But the Fighting Maroons know they can’t afford to do that, especially against the wounded La Salle Green Archers.
“We’re still a work in progress while the season is ongoing,” coach Goldwin Monteverde said after his chargers overwhelmed University of Santo Tomas 110-79 last Saturday. “We still have a long way to go. We need to work on our defense.”
UP tries to extend its perfect record to six when it battles La Salle today in the 86th UAAP basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 6 p.m. after Adamson University faces Far Eastern University at 2 o’clock.
National University seeks to boost its hold of solo second when it tangles with University of the East at noon after struggling titlist Ateneo clashes with winless University of Santo Tomas in the curtain-raiser of the four-match schedule at 10 a.m.
With a first-round sweep looming, Monteverde downplayed his team’s 5-0 record–their best start in the Final Four era.
The likes of Harold Alarcon, JD Cagulangan, Chicco Briones, skipper CJ Cansino, and 6-foot-11 Senegalese import Malick Diouf will be counted upon by UP to deliver.
Last Sunday’s 77-80 overtime defeat to the Bulldogs that dropped La Salle to 3-2 in a tie with the Soaring Falcons for third is tough to swallow for the Archers.
But coach Topex Robinson has no choice but to move on quickly as another major test awaits in UP.
“Even if we dwell on that situation, it won’t change anything,” Robinson said.
“What’s important is the upcoming game against UP. We’ll learn from these mistakes and move forward.”
La Salle is tied with the Soaring Falcons for third.
The Archers will lean on Kevin Quiambao, Mark Nonoy, Evan Nelle, and brothers Mike and Benjamin Phillips.
“As a coach, you make decisions. There are times that you’re gonna make the wrong decision. Sabi ko nga, all of those things are going to be magnified because you lost the game. That’s the irony of being a head coach, you know?” Robinson posed.
“There are gonna be a lot of online coaches who will pop up asking that same question. At the end of the day, again, I coach this team. I lead this team. That’s just about it. When you lose the game, you take the responsibility.”
