UP Fighting Maroons’ coach Goldwin Monteverde and assistant Christian Luanzon during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals against La Salle Green Archers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde believes there’s no Game 2 curse, saying “basketball is basketball,” after the Fighting Maroons missed another chance to wrap up the title with a sweep in the UAAP men’s basketball Finals.
For the fourth straight time, Monteverde will be coaching UP in a winner-take-all finals game– just like his first three title series appearances where they couldn’t close out the series in Game 2.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals
But the soft-spoken UP coach sees no problem in their past four Game 2 losses, believing it’s all part of the fierce competition of the UAAP.
“Hindi ko alam ang Game 2 curse eh. But basketball is basketball, Minsan mananalo. Minsan matatalo. Ang importante yung bangon,” said Monteverde. “Alam namin na hindi pa naman tapos ang series. Alam namin na we just have to keep our heads up. Pag-usapan, mag-prepare, planuhin just to get ready on Sunday.”
UP Fighting Maroons’ JD Cagulangan during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals against La Salle Green Archers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
UP was forced to a decider by Ateneo in May 2022 in Season 84 but JD Cagulangan’s epic game-winning triple in the Season 84 Finals rubber match delivered the school’s first title since 1986.
The Fighting Maroons also took the series openers on Seasons 85 and 86 finals but they yielded in both deciders to Ateneo and La Salle, respectively.
This time, UP couldn’t make the finishing touches in Game 2 with Francis Lopez missing four straight free throws and committing a crucial turnover.
“Yung reality: Life goes on. Ganun naman talaga ang buhay kung minsan it will go your way, minsan it will not. Ang importante kung ano ang ginawa mo to achieve ang gusto mong gawin. But then if you fall short siyempre… I think yung basketball is the perfect [way] naman for them to be stronger, for them to learn,” said Monteverde.
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“Definitely with this loss matututo kaming lahat. We’ll come back stronger Sunday.”
Hoping to get over the hump and regain its lost glory on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Monteverde promises that the Fighting Maroons will leave everything on the floor.
“Lahat naman it takes two games to win a championship. We’ll do our best. We’ll be ready after. Whatever happened for today’s game we’ll be ready for them,” said Monteverde.