UAAP: UP seeks to improve execution after first loss

UP coach Goldwin Monteverde.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines is sticking to the positives and learnings after taking its first loss of UAAP Season 87 at the hands of last year’s finals tormentor La Salle on Sunday.

UP saw its six-game unbeaten run snapped by reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao and La Salle, 68-56, in front of 16,000 fans at Mall of Asia Arena to end the first round of eliminations.

Instead of dwelling on the loss, coach Goldwin Monteverde urged the Fighting Maroons to move on and learn from their mistakes.

READ: UAAP: Cagulangan sidelined but still makes presence felt for UP

UP coach Goldwin Monteverde and Harold Alarcon after absorbing their first loss to La Salle. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/3ChxFqQuiB

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 6, 2024

“I guess yun naman yung napag-usapan since bago mag-start yung first game, whether manalo o we lose games, ang importante ay what we could take heading towards the second round,” Monteverde said. “Definitely, for this game, this would be an example that we really need to look up or review on what we need to work on pa, especially offensively, yung execution namin, I think it’s one part of our game we could improve on.”

“Ang laking bagay kasi para sa amin na makita namin pare-parehas. Minsan pag nananalo ka, minsan hindi mo nakikita what needs to be realized,” he added.

For the third consecutive time, UP started slow and played catchup early. But unlike in their past two games against Adamson and University of Santo Tomas where they managed to come back and win, it wasn’t the case against the Green Archers.

UP vows to bounce back in the second round. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/d1ldb83CE0

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 6, 2024

“I think from the last two games namin, sabi ko nga, we can’t play like catch-up basketball every time na uunahin mo, sabay hahabulin mo. We really need to work on that. Alam namin gawin doon. Siguro, after this, pag napanood namin yung games, makikita namin kung anong dapat gawin,” Monteverde said.

Harold Alarcon, who led UP with 19 points, five rebounds, and three steals in the absence of veteran guard JD Cagulangan, shared the same sentiment as his coach, saying that this first loss is a “stepping stone to improve as a team.”

READ: UAAP: La Salle hands UP first loss to claim No. 1 spot

“Maging optimistic lang kami na harapin namin yung mga challenges na naharap namin sa game na ito at dadalhin namin papasok ng second round,” Alarcon said. “Para sakin naman, parehas kay Coach Gold. Kung anong nangyari ngayon, i-take lang namin yung mga learnings, tapos bukas ibang araw naman, pero di namin kakalimutan yung mga kailangang i-improve as a team.”

The Maroons have a week to prepare before the second round begins next weekend. 

“Well, life goes on, whatever happens, kahit naman manalo ka, it’s still the first round. May one round pa na haharapin, and what’s important is to look at how to improve on yung laro namin ngayon as a team. I think we’ll take it from there,” Monteverde said.