UAAP: Long way to go for UP Maroons despite unbeaten record

UP Fighting Maroons’ Francis Lopez and UST_Reyland Torres during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Francis Lopez believes the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons still has “a lot to improve on” despite moving on the verge of a sweep of the first round in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

UP had to overcome another slow start before pulling off an 81-70 win over the University of Santo Tomas and staying unbeaten in six games on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But Lopez believes still have to improve their defense as they trailed early to Adamson last Saturday and had to fight back from another lethargic first quarter against UST.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball

“We were starting slow for the past two games. For us, I think it’s the defense that brought us back really. Our shots weren’t falling but you gotta continue,” said Lopez, who had 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting and tallied six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. 

Despite the perfect start, last year’s top rookie insisted that they have yet to achieve anything yet. 

“Still, a lot to improve on. It’s just the first round, 6-0, but at the same time, we have to give credit to the coaches for working on this one,” Lopez said. “Every team is a tough team for us. We can’t be complacent about any teams which is why we’re happy we got this one. Hoping that we keep on rolling on the next one.”

UP Fighting Maroons’ Francis Lopez during a UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon agreed with their sophomore forward, saying that averaging a 14.5 points-winning margin in the past six games doesn’t look as easy as it seems.

“The outside looking in, it looks like not a close game from the final score. From the coaches on the sideline, we always felt like it’s a close game. By the numbers, we’ve won by double figures and this is something that we reminded the players, not to play the score. We’ve seen it happen twice already, starting with the UE game and the FEU game. We were up by as much as 26 and then it was brought down to I think 11 or 10,” said Luanzon, speaking for head coach Goldwin Monteverde.

READ: UAAP: Harold Alarcon, other UP guards step up with Cagulangan out

“Whether you have a big lead or not. One thing that Coach Gold always mentioned, and that we mentioned, it only takes one point to win a game. It also takes one point to lose a game. Our culture here at UP is valuing each possession — regardless of who we play. Whether it’s a team that is on top or a team that’s below the standings, the preparation is always the same,” the deputy coach added.

Lopez and the Fighting Maroons  brace for the reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao and finals tormentor La Salle in a rematch on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, 

“You just got to be ready every game, especially on defense. We have a lot of tougher teams this season compared to last year. We just keep on defending, especially La Salle, most definitely for Kevin Quiambao,” said Lopez. “He’s the MVP last year,  he’s gonna be a really key player for DLSU.”