In the first round of the Battle of Katipunan, University of the Philippines picked up where it ended in Season 84 – another overtime win, 76-71, over neighbors Ateneo de Manila University.
It was the fourth time that coach Goldwin Monteverde got the better of his counterpart Tab Baldwin. Cameras picked up the two smiling and embracing each other after their squads played one hell of a game.
“I believe today that we played better as a team. We moved the ball well. We really tried to work on especially yung offense namin, and today we really got tested sa game,” said the former National University Bullpups mentor.
“Ang maganda roon, the whole team stayed together. They did their best to execute at both ends.”
Without taking away anything from Monteverde’s coaching prowess, UP’s recruitment class during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a sight to behold.
The 51-year-old Manila native has an embarrassment of riches to choose from if one player has an off day.
He had the returning JD Cagulangan lead the pack, alongside the likes of Terrence Fortea and Gerry Abadiano on call if the Butuan native needed to sit down.
When it comes to the frontline, Monteverde has Carl Tamayo, Zavier Lucero, Malick Diouf, and Henry Galinato to mix and match.
“Ano naman, kung may ganung klaseng team ka, it’s really a good problem,” said the Season 84 gold medalist.
“Ang maganda rito kase ay pagtanggal, tulad ng sabi ni Carl (Tamayo) kanina, if Zavier (Lucero) is light today, kumbaga lahat naman kami, susuportahan namin kung sino yung ang ilalaro namin, yun ang maganda sa team namin.”
With a big win over Ateneo, UP successfully bounced back following its first loss at the hands of NU.
Up next for the Diliman school is a date against University of the East this Wednesday. And the Fighting Maroons will be wary of the latter’s capability of pulling off upsets.
“I think naman lahat dapat preparahan. Right now, we’re just really focused sa sarili namin trying to improve every game, kung sinoman makalaban namin,” said Monteverde.
“I think since UE ang kalaban, we’ll really prepare for that game. Tapos na tong game so yun talaga yung next (target) namin.”
