Ten months ago, Ateneo de Manila University dethroned the University of the Philippines in three games during the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Finals.
On Sunday night, the Fighting Maroons finally tasted victory against the Blue Eagles again, for the first time since Game One of the Finals.
They escaped with a 65-60 victory in the second round of Season 86, in front of 17,406 maroon and blue-blooded fans at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
However, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde is not dwelling on the past.
He brought to this game their most recent loss to Ateneo, a 99-89 defeat in overtime just last week.
Even after the win, the soft-spoken mentor did not make a big deal out of it, treating it as just an elimination round game.
“Para sa akin, it’s just one of the battles na na-overcome namin,” said Monteverde.
The Fighting Maroons improved to 8-1, regaining sole possession of the top spot after sharing it with National University for a week.
Monteverde was quick to warn his team that, despite the significant win against their modern-day rivals, they should move forward.
They will face a surging De La Salle University next week.
“Syempre, we need to move forward from this. Siguro ang pinakamaganda lang na nakita ko is galing kami sa talo sa team na ito at kung paano kami bumawi ulit. Yun lang ang importanteng nakita ko diyan.”
Against the Green Archers, who are currently on a three-game winning streak, Monteverde’s approach remains the same.
“Ganon pa rin. Lahat naman ng team na nakakalaban namin, pinaghahandaan namin.”
