By NIKOLE JAVIER
Defending champion University of the Philippines is a win away from its dream back-to-back UAAP championships.
But can the Maroons sustain their impressive start to the best-of-three title series and make their title win a lot sweeter the second time around?
Unless the Ateneo Blue Eagles can’t find the right winning formula to extend the series to full route, the Maroons and their massive supporters will have another bonfire lightning before the end of the day at the school’s famed baseball field.
But more than that, the Maroons will be seeking a piece of history when they go for a title sweep in Game 2 of their exciting showdown dubbed as Battle of Katipunan 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fighting Maroons, who came away with a 72-66 win in Game1, are looking confident in their bid to win a second straight title which will be a first for the school.
Malick Diouf, last season’s Finals Most Valuable Player, is set to be named as Season MVP in the awarding ceremony moments before the tipoff.
And that will be an added motivation for the Maroons, who needed three games to end 36 years of agonizing wait to become champions once again.
But it was Zavier Lucero who started the big show for the Fighting Maroons in Game 1 as he finished in double-double performance with 14 points and 10 rebounds including key defensive stops that evidently ruined any chances for Ateneo to tie the game or execute its run.
JD Cagulangan, who was one of last season’s championship heroes, also had his shining moments on the floor as he tallied 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
But coach Goldwin Monterverde is hoping Harold Alarcon will again deliver just like when he knocked down two crucial triples that kept the Eagles at bay.
But knowing Ateneo’s winning culture, one can expect a blockbuster showdown as the Eagles are aching to get back at the Maroons.
Despite their balanced attack with four players in double figures, the Blue Eagles should raise their game a notch higher if they to extend the series.
