Manuel: Maroons not giving up on Final Four hopes

UP guard Jett Manuel takes a jumper against National University. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of the Philippines is far from the team it once was when it opened the 78th Season of the UAAP with two straight wins.

Nearly a month later after beating De La Salle for their second victory, the Fighting Maroons are in desperation mode after losing their fifth game in a row on Sunday at the hands of the Adamson Falcons, a game where the Maroons were expected to stop the bleeding.

UP captain Jett Manuel admitted the team is now frustrated from all the losing and that what has made winning very elusive for the Maroons as of late is that the rest of the league has taken notice of them.

“Teams have adjusted to us. They’ve given us more respect,” Manuel told reporters. “We expected it, but the way we’re playing right now is not how it should be. What we say UP basketball, that’s still not coming out.”

“We’re concerned on how our team would react. Five straight (losses) is five straight,” he said. “We’re frustrated, but it’s not reason for us to call it a season.”

At 2-5 and several games out of the Final Four picture at the end of the first round, Manuel said giving up is not an option for the Maroons.

“There are still seven games for us in the second round. We’re not going to give up in any way, that’s what we can assure.”