University of the Philippines was understaffed in its crucial matchup on Sunday against De La Salle University, as it was missing both Malick Diouf and JD Cagulangan.
The reigning MVP was absent from the game due to a day-to-day wrist injury. On the other hand, the trusted point guard didn’t play for the second straight game because of a hamstring injury.
Despite being depleted, the Fighting Maroons fought hard but fell short, losing to the Green Archers, 88-79.
This result allowed National University to claim a share of the top spot in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Nevertheless, head coach Goldwin Monteverde refused to use the absence of his important players as an excuse for the defeat that unfolded in front of more than 13,000 fans inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Of course, si Malick and JD would always be a key part sa team namin. But for me, we won’t take this as a reason as a team for whatever happened today,” said the soft-spoken champion coach.
“We’re gonna take responsibility because we had chances a while ago na kapag naglaro lang kami nang tama.”
The Fighting Maroons dropped to 8-2, now tied with the Bulldogs for the top spot. However, they hold the tiebreak due to their first-round win against the latter.
UP trailed by as much as 14 in the game but managed to rally back behind CJ Cansino, Gerry Abadiano, and Chicco Briones. They even took a 75-74 lead with 4:45 remaining.
Kevin Quiambao, however, led La Salle’s strong endgame.
For Monteverde, it was the same problems that plagued UP again.
“I guess as a team we need to learn, especially on the defensive end, maging consistent kami,” shared Monteverde.
“There were parts ng game kanina na I believe yung defense namin was giving in sa mga plays ng kabila.”
The Fighting Maroons will now go back to the drawing board. They have only two days to prepare for their Wednesday game against the University of the East, which is on a two-game winning streak.
