It was not the first time this season that the University of the Philippines needed to bounce back from a slow start.
The Fighting Maroons started an eight-game winning streak with a huge turnaround against University of Santo Tomas. They then fended off Far Eastern University twice before holding off De La Salle University. Finally, they stopped Jerom Lastimosa and Adamson University from snatching their first-round victory.
However, in this same streak, the Maroons just won by an average margin of 6.5 points. Three of those games were under three points – Adamson including.
This time around, Lastimosa and Adamson made sure their handiwork throughout the match would not go to waste. And finally, slow starts caught up to UP.
“Well, in a way kasi, ano rin naman… Kumbaga marami kaming games nag-start kami ng slow Siguro may isa o dalawa kaming games na strong start kami,” Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde admitted. “But I guess siguro ang importante kahit naman mag-start strong ka, kung ‘di ka maging consistent din, eh wala naman rin pag-abot sa dulo. Wala naman rin pupuntahan.
“I think ang pinaka-concern is just being consistent on what we were doing. And ano naman ‘yung team is really working on it. ‘Yun lang siguro kailangan lang namin maayos. With regards dun sa gan’on situation we need to really, you know, to work on that pa,” the first-year college head coach continued.
The Fighting Maroons, prior to this game, are the number 2 team in assists at 17.33 dimes per game. They also have a solid 63.7-percent shooting squad at the free-throw line. Against Adamson on Thursday, though, they just had eight assists and shot 15 freebies on 28 attempts.
Moreover, this is the lowest scoring output for the Maroons at 58, while giving up close to 70 points.
Monteverde said, “I think na like kanina natalo, but siguro especially sa defensive end, we need to really improve sa amin. Also, I think we just had like eight assists siguro we need to move the ball more.
“Consistent ako, lagi ko sinasabi na whether its a win or loss, ang importante kung ano yung ano ba i-take home dito; ano ba dapat namin gawin moving towards pa sa mga… Let’s say bigger games,” the decorated juniors champion coach added.
And with the winning streak ending at eight, the Fighting Maroons begin another journey back with yet another crucial tip against De La Salle University.
With such a fast-paced season, coach Monteverde and the Fighting Maroons have just one thing in mind – take the loss, learn from it, and on to the next.
“Siyempre, we have to be ready for La Salle right now, lalo na yung La Salle is parang their game is feeling ko going up. But napag-usapan naman yan before na we’re in the kind of season na wala ka naman panahon para to feel bad,” Monteverde said.
“You know, importante lang, Saturday game na kaagad. So maybe tonight we’ll be watching our game, but after that siyempre we’ll be looking forward to prepare for La Salle na.
“So yun naman ang importante dun makita kung ano nangyari then not to do ulit what a piece to move forward na.”
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