Francis Lopez had a forgettable outing against Adamson University last Sunday.
Lopez, the second-leading scorer for the University of the Philippines this season, was averaging 11.38 points over the team’s first eight games.
However, the 21-year-old athletic winger was limited to a season-low two points in their 70-59 win over the Soaring Falcons.
“Last game against Adamson, Coach Gold (Monteverde) spoke to me, and he was holding the stats. I [only] scored two points,” said Lopez.
Aware of Lopez’s importance to their campaign, Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde took the former Gilas standout aside and gave him some words of encouragement.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“He called me and he was like, this is exactly what he said, ‘Wag mawawalan ng loob.’ That right there just boosted me up for the next game, and I’m just really glad that we got this win,” shared the Southeast Asian Games silver medalist.
Monteverde’s pep talk helped Lopez regain his composure, leading to a standout performance in their next match.
Lopez bounced back in a big way during UP’s rout of Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament last Wednesday.
He was unstoppable against the Blue Eagles, scoring 20 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, along with five rebounds, one steal, and one block.
The Fighting Maroons handed the Blue Eagles a 28-point blowout, 75-47 – their worst loss since the Tab Baldwin era.
More importantly, the forward from Las Piñas helped UP improve its record to 9-1, putting them within reach of a twice-to-beat advantage.
Lopez and the Fighting Maroons will look to strengthen their hold on second place when they face National University on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
