In its first three games of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the University of the Philippines dominated Adamson University, the University of the East, and National University by double digits.
The Fighting Maroons defeated the Soaring Falcons by 17 (68-51), the Red Warriors by 15 (84-69), and the then-unbeaten Bulldogs by 18 (78-60).
However, on Wednesday, UP encountered a winless Far Eastern University and struggled, needing an extra period to win by a narrow margin, 80-76, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
According to Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon, this performance by the Tamaraws was proof that, despite their unbeaten record, they cannot take any opponent for granted.
“That’s a word you rarely hear sa locker room namin, being ‘comfortable’, because no team in this league is a pushover,” said Luanzon after their hard-fought win over FEU
After overcoming the challenge presented by the Tamaraws, UP will face the winless University of Santo Tomas next.
At 0-4, the Growling Tigers are at the bottom of the standings alongside FEU.
“Ang mahirap sa ganyang team for example FEU and UST, when you come to play them, number one dala nila yung school pride nila, pangalawa yung gutom manalo nandiyan eh,” warned Luanzon.
“Napakaimportante sa amin not to take anyone lightly, to play confidently but at the same time giving our opponents yung respect that is due to them.”
Janjan Felicilda, who played a significant role in UP’s victory with 17 points and four rebounds, recalled what head coach Goldwin Monteverde always tells them before every game, regardless of the implications.
Reigning MVP Malick Diouf also emphasized how every team has improved, and records barely mean anything in the league.
“Sabi nga palagi sa amin ni Coach Gold na i-treat namin yung laro na championship para masanay kami,” said third-year guard Felicilda.
“In this UAAP Season 86 there is no weak team. Even they’re in last for now, we will take them seriously and prepare for them like the way we prepare for the first four games,” added Diouf, who had 11 points and 20 rebounds.
