There are two ways of looking at University of the Philippines’ 3-0 start in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
On one hand, the team has shown incredible resilience to seal wins when things went tough.
On the other hand, though, the Fighting Maroons’ inconsistency will cost them in a big way this year. Now more than ever, they need to arrest whatever slump they are in.
“Siyempre, I’m happy, but there’s still a lot to work on sa team namin. Laki ng lead namin nung first quarter and then suddenly lumamang yung FEU pagtapos ng first half,” said UP forward Carl Tamayo after his side’s 73-67 win over Far Eastern University.
“I think the good thing is kahit ganun yung sitwasyon, yung team namin hindi pa rin tumigil. Facing this kind of pressure, yung team handa.”
Tamayo scored 16 points against the Tamaraws – eight of which came in the fourth quarter. And he demonstrated anew why he is coach Goldwin Monteverde’s go-to guy in the endgame.
The Gilas Pilipinas standout converted two crucial jumpers to seal the win for the Fighting Maroons. He feels that all these challenges are just strengthening his and his teammates’ resolve.
“Inconsistent man kami, at least at the end of the day, yung pressure tinanggap namin, hinarap namin at nakuha pa rin namin ang panalo,” said the former National University Bullpup.
Without a doubt, going back-to-back is the aim for the Fighting Maroons this season.
After their historic Season 84 crown, the UP community clearly wants more following their first taste of success in 36 years.
However, there is still a long way to go, and Tamayo is embracing all those difficult moments ahead of him and his team.
“I think ang laki pa ng room to improve ng team. it’s just the start of the season. Third game pa lang namin. Hindi pa tapos ang season. Ang dami pa naming pagdadaanan,” he said.
“I think as the season goes, yung team mag-i-improve pa. Hopefully, if pumunta kami Final Four, the team will be solid na in terms of consistency.”
