Coach Paul Ramos takes UP’s first loss as a learning experience. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
University of the Philippines’ (UP) unbeaten start and bid for a first round sweep in UAAP women’s caging came to an end on Saturday, no thanks to Ateneo.
But Fighting Maroons coach Paul Ramos hardly looked fazed when asked about the 85-76 loss at Adamson University Gym, and said his charges will be taking the defeat like any floored fighter that picks themselves up looking to be better next time.
“I think any loss—whether late or early—isn’t something that you want, really. But we’ve learned a lot in the game,” he told the Inquirer at a postgame dinner hosted by Nickel Asia Corp. at University Hotel later that evening.
“We’ve had several close shaves (this season), too. And [those paired with this loss] will just give us an opportunity to look back and figure out how to strike harder next time,” he went on.
What’s important, according to the young mentor who steered the school to its finest start in 15 years, is that the entire squad—made up of mostly rookies or sophomores—soaks up lessons fast.
UP had found itself neck and neck against a Blue Eagles crew also eager to shake up the race at the top. And with skipper Justine Domingo exiting the game early due to a sprained ankle, and Filipino-French rookie sensation Louna Ozar maxing out her fouls early, the Fighting Maroons faded late.
‘I was outcoached’
“There were a lot of circumstances that cropped up in that game. Justine got hurt and Louna fouled out. We weren’t able to outclass ourselves in the sense that we weren’t able to be winners when two of our best options were out,” Ramos said.
“Going back to that cliché everyone is saying that it was better we lost now than later—yes, that may be the brighter side of things. But I also acknowledged to the team that I was outcoached. We were not fast enough to adjust and find a way to put ourselves in a position to win,” he added.
The Maroons own a win over the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, and Ramos feels like the reality check handed by Ateneo will vastly help his Fighting Maroons when they navigate the second round—and beyond.
“One thing we did in winning over NU was that we were able to validate the idea that we are winners—that if we can perform well, we can win against a formidable team,” he said.
“We are still optimistic on entering the Final Four and still entering the Finals. We just have to learn and learn fast,” he added.
It’s a thought that Ozar, a big guard who broke into the country’s basketball landscape suiting up for Gilas Women, is clinging to.“[This] is one step to the goal,” she said, trying to refer to a UAAP championship with her yet-to-be refined English.
“We can. Anything is possible.” INQ