If the University of the Philippines has successfully demonstrated anything in its UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament campaign – it is its ability to grind out wins no matter the circumstances.
Perhaps it helps a lot that the Fighting Maroons are a mix of big-name blue-chip recruits straight from high school; and transferees who feel that grass is simply greener in Diliman. With this amount of talent in their squad, they almost always find a way to seal the win.
“For me, nung first half naman, it just so happened na ako yung na-open. Pero nag-stick lang talaga kami sa system again,” said UP captain Ricci Rivero, who contributed 19 points, five rebounds, and two assists during 31:27 minutes of action in the Fighting Maroons’ 73-70 win over Far Eastern University.
“Sabi nga ni coach (Goldwin Monteverde), there are times na medyo lumilihis kami. But once nakabalik kami sa system namin, mas nagiging smooth ang run namin offensively and defensively.”
Another top contributor to UP’s eighth straight win this season, CJ Cansino, reiterated Rivero’s thoughts about the importance for the Fighting Maroons to stick with Monteverde and his coaching staff’s game plan.
With so much individual talent, it is easy to succumb to temptation and veer away from it. Still, the players are learning that perhaps more than ever, surrendering to the system is the key.
There are only five games left in the elimination round before what probably will be another post-season trip for UP. It is indeed imperative for the players to keep their feet on the ground.
“Siguro sa akin, nag-start yun sa magandang defense ng team. Ang mga points kasi na galing sa akin, galing naman sa system namin, which is nagtiwala na kami,” said co-captain Cansino whose return from injury saw him produce 12 points and four rebounds in 16:38 minutes on the floor.
“Every game natututo kami na pumapasok na kami sa sistema namin, nagkakatiwala kami sa team. So para sa akin, mas credit sa coaches and my teammates kung bakit nangyari yun.”
One negative tendency apparent in UP’s games is that it allows its opponents to muster an advantage first before retaliating and winning in the end. The Fighting Maroons need to seize better control of the game.
This, especially since they have ambitions of seizing the crown from neighbor Ateneo de Manila University.
That realization is not lost on Rivero, who knows what it is like to fight for and win the UAAP championship during his time with De La Salle University. Thankfully for the Fighting Maroons’ sake, they are learning while getting wins.
“For me, inaantay na lang namin yung us being consistent, pero we’re there. We’re getting there. I’m just happy with how we close games kasi there are a lot of times na nangyari na down kami, tapos we were trailing. Pero at the end of the buzzer, what’s important is who wins ‘di ba?” said the 6-foot-1 swingman.
“Pero siyempre sa akin, ginagawa naming bonus yung panalo as long as we learn and improve every game talaga.”
—
All UAAP games stream live on GigaPlay presented by Yamaha. Download it now on Android or IOS.
