MANILA, Philippines – A team that lost in devastating fashion in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals, the UP Fighting Maroons are pinning their hopes to not let the collapse cloud their aura heading into winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday, December 15.
With 2:58 left holding a 73-66 lead, the Maroons felt like they had the championship — but Kevin Quiambao and the De La Salle Green Archers said otherwise.
La Salle leaned on its two-time MVP to put an MVP-worthy performance and jumpstart a 10-2 finishing kick to steal the game, 76-75.
Part of the collapse were Francis Lopez’s miscues in the clutch, including four straight missed free throws and a pair of turnovers down the stretch.
“It’s no excuse. I just missed it, you know. Can do nothing about it, move on,” Lopez told reporters after the game.
“You know, we still have a Game 3, we still have another opportunity. We’re going to be focused on that one,” he added.
What could have been a somber spell in the dugout was instead used as a rallying point by the Maroons, which has now lost five straight finals Game 2s dating back to Season 81 in 2018.
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde wants his team to quickly move on from the debacle and focus on a positive light — the fact that the team has another chance to win the title.
“We are aware that the series isn’t over, we just have to talk about preparing and planning, just to get ready on Sunday,” said Monteverde.
“I guess we must face reality…life goes on, that is life, it will go your way, it may not, but what’s important is to achieve your goals, but at the same time, I think basketball is the perfect platform for [the players] to grow and learn,” he furthered.
“We will all learn from this loss…we’ll come back stronger Sunday.”
The winner-take-all Game 3 tips off on Sunday, December 11, 5:30 pm, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com