For the second straight game, University of the Philippines overcame a huge deficit to move one step closer to winning its first UAAP championship since 1986.
It first overcame a 14-point disadvantage against De La Salle University in its 78-74 victory in both sides’ rubber match in the Final Four. Now, the Fighting Maroons are one game away from history.
They vanquished a 12-point barrier against Ateneo de Manila University in game one of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament finals.
“I guess naman sa basketball, yung formula is really kung pwede maging consistent sa team and defensively trust each other. Yung communication dapat nandiyan,” said UP coach Goldwin Monteverde after his side’s 81-74 win in overtime.
“Wala naman, I think, na perfect formula for anything, but importante lang to be consistent in running what we do.”
The Fighting Maroons down were down 67-70 with 32.6 seconds remaining on the clock. Then an off-timeout-play by Monteverde freed up James Spencer. The Fil-Australian though was way, way beyond the arc – just past the tip of the SM Mall of Asia Arena logo.
Despite the distance, it still went in.
It takes guts to be called upon to make big shots like those at any level of basketball. And the fact that Spencer executed it perfectly epitomizes how he and his teammates surrendered to the system run by the former National University Bullpups mentor.
“It was a designed play by Coach Gold,” said the 6-foot-4 swingman, who had 13 points in close to 36 minutes of action.
“Honestly, I was just thinking my shot’s feeling good, have no hesitation on the catch… If no one’s near me then I’m just gonna let it fly.”
Only one more win stands between UP and its holy grail. If there is one thing that the Fighting Maroons learned this evening, it is that they have to maintain their composure if they want to seize the crown.
Coach Tab Baldwin and the Blue Eagles will definitely have their own adjustments come game two. Still, the Fighting Maroons shall also be ready for anything thrown at them.
“We’ve been preparing naman really for this game. Siguro along the way, tinibayan lang namin whatever we were doing. For me, malaking bagay yung heart ng team kanina para defensively mahirapan Ateneo,” added Monteverde.
“Ateneo’s really a good team, but again playing consistently together, yun yung nakatulong sa amin kanina.”
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