The ‘Battle of Katipunan’ rivalry has certainly intensified in the post-pandemic era, especially as archrival Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines clashed in the championship rounds of UAAP Seasons 84 and 85.
Central to both teams’ successes are their loaded coaching staffs, with Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde proving to be the kryptonite to Blue Eagles head tactician Tab Baldwin’s brilliance.
Through 15 games from Season 84 to UP’s dominant 75-47 second-round win over Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Monteverde holds a 9-6 head-to-head lead over the former Gilas mentor.
Despite holding an edge over a decorated tactician like Baldwin, Monteverde remains enthusiastic about facing the 66-year-old head coach, highlighting the valuable lessons for both him and his players.
“For me, I would really learn a lot. We know the program Tab has for Ateneo, we cannot like approach the game na parang relaxed; we really have to prepare for it. At the same time, during the course of the game, it’s not like things would just fall into place, you should be able to react,” shared the decorated multiple-time UAAP basketball champion coach in both the men’s and boys’ divisions.
“I really admire him as a coach, the way he runs his program in Ateneo, and definitely, competing against him, I really learn a lot.”
Players are often the ones who fall into the trap of complacency, but Monteverde assured the UP faithful that he would not let his recent success over Baldwin affect his coaching style as he aims to bring the UAAP men’s basketball crown back to Diliman for the first time since 2022.
Having won four of their last five encounters dating back to Season 86, Monteverde’s achievements against Baldwin were highlighted when the Fighting Maroons ended their 36-year championship drought in the unique bubble tournament.
Since then, UP has settled for back-to-back runner-up finishes.
“For us naman, since nung day one, yung hunger namin nandiyan talaga. I wouldn’t call it complacency, kumbaga siguro tao rin, may mga times na trying to be ready for the game, but things would not fall sa gusto mo. But then again, ‘yon yung maganda sa basketball for me: yung mga nangyayaring ganon would make us stronger,” the 53-year-old head coach said.
“Each player and coach would develop his character while in the game. Sa amin siguro kung ano yung dumating, basta kami, we just have to do our best to be ready and focus sa mga coming games namin. How we adjust to it, ‘yon yung importante sa amin.”
After handing Ateneo its worst loss in the Baldwin era, Monteverde emphasized the room for improvement for UP, especially in their pursuit of a coveted twice-to-beat incentive.
With this win, the Fighting Maroons secured their third consecutive victory, improving their record to 9-1 and strengthening their hold on solo second place.
They now hold a three-game cushion over the UE Red Warriors, who dropped to 6-4, for the second seed.
“Expect na we would work harder to improve as a team. Dahan-dahan pa, I think we have four games left kung hindi ako nagkakamali. Each game would be a stepping stone for us to get better. Importante lang, we should be healthy as a team din in a way. Slowly, we’ll still improve.”
