Even the coaching staff of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons could not hide their disgust with the lack of effort the team showed on Wednesday afternoon.
With 4:16 left in the Fighting Maroons’ game against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, Kenneth Zamora threw up a three-pointer. Just as the ball was mid-air, Bright Akhuetie was called for an off-ball foul against Enrique Caunan. Zamora’s shot went in, while Caunan was awarded two free throws for a very rare five-point play.
UST were up 41-22.
As the referees deliberated, there was an eerie silence inside the Mall of Asia Arena. Assistant coach Ricky Dandan’s baritone voice echoed all throughout the venue afterwards.
“Puro kayo papogi,” the veteran tactician said.
And third-year Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol agreed with his lead assistant over the call-out.
“Coach Ricky is in charge of our defense. Parang he lost it na why can’t you do it if you can do it.
“As young players, they just have to understand that these coaches are trying to help them. They’re just trying to tell you, you’re better than that. They all know the personality of coach Ricky so that is nothing that is new to them,” shared Perasol.
UP eventually lost the game, 72-86.
After defeating the UE Red Warriors, the DLSU Green Archers, and the NU Bulldogs, much was expected from the Fighting Maroons to seal solo fourth to end the round. Instead, they now figure in a logjam with UST, as both squads sport identical 3-4 slates.
Perasol is hoping that his young team of blue chip recruits will get their act together. Even if they have the same goal, the Fighting Maroons should have the same mindset to achieve it.
“When we came out of the dugout, I had told them that who we are in practice when we execute is different than we go out there with the limelight and the people. It’s part of getting used to it,” Perasol added. “Because of the adulation [saying], ‘E ang galing niyo’ – parang gumaganon.
“As a coach, kelangan mong ipaalala na ang focus mo, wala sa tao, wala sa tambol, kung hindi sa ginagawa natin. I think, in the beginning, that was exactly what happened,” he pointed out.
“They thought they were just going to roll over and win against UST. You can’t take anything away from UST. They played very well.”
