Hopes were high in Diliman when University of the Philippines started its campaign on a blistering note, winning its first two games and quicky improving on its one-win season last year.
But the Maroons’ early success proved to be a double-edged blade as teams became more wary of them in the ensuing games.
The result? A five game losing skid to end the first round and a return Of the Maroons to a familiar place – back at the cellar.
For Smart Elite Ambassador and star guard Jett Manuel, it’s all about figuring out how they’ll adjust to the schemes that their opponents are throwing at them.
“Teams have adjusted to us. They’re giving us more respect,” said Manuel.
“We expected it, pero the way we’re playing now isn’t how we should be playing. We kept saying we want to play UP basketball, that’s still not coming out,” he added.
In their 73-68 loss to fellow cellar-dweller Adamson, the Maroons’ offense was once again in disarray as they just shot 36.8 percent from the field, making just 28 of their 76 attempts in the field.
Manuel for his part went scoreless but he reiterated that it’s their defense that’s the problem as they gave away 47 points to the Falcons early, falling into a 19 point deficit after the first 20 minutes.
“I think our game was lost in the first half. We gave up 47 points, that’s unacceptable. It’s tough being down by 19 points,” Manuel said further.
And although he admitted that the team is slowly getting frustrated, Manuel vowed that the string of setbacks wouldn’t stop them from fighting and giving their hearts out night in and night out.
“We’re concerned on how our team will react. Five straight is five straight but we still have seven games. Frustrated lang pero that’s not a reason to call it a season. We’re not gonna give up in any way, that’s what we can assure.”
