By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippines head coach Goldwin Monteverde likes the poise he is seeing from his wards through the ongoing UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
The bridesmaid finishers of the last season showed great resilience and composure as they battled back from a huge 22-point deficit in the first half before cruising to a 69-57 victory over Adamson.
Monteverde said the Katipunan-based squad expected the tough test but was impressed with the Fighting Maroons’ response.
“Well, sa team naman usually we talk about how we respond sa mga challenges and I believe for this game, we responded well. Siyempre, alam natin si UAAP, wala naman tayong team na dapat pabayaan,” said Monteverde.
“Alam natin na all of the teams here are well-coached. But sometimes, like I said, games like this would happen [and] good thing, ‘yong composure namin nandyan,” he added.
Adamson nearly handed UP its first taste of defeat as it took the tempo early in the first half.
Though it looked like the Soaring Falcons had it, the Fighting Maroons regained their consciousness and banked on their suffocating defense to rattle their rivals and seize control.
“We’re not gonna put our minds doon sa undefeated na situation but you know, rather we’re just gonna tackle it pano sa harapan namin,” Monterverde continued.
UP’s shocktroopers were crucial in its last contest, scoring 51 of its total output behind the efforts of Harold Alarcon and Terrence Fortea.
Fortea, who finished with 13 points including 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, ignited UP’s run in the second half. Equally superb was Quentin Millora-Brown who dazzled anew with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
