UNLIKE in May, University of the Philippines now has the edge when it comes to championship experience that Carl Tamayo implored his peers to do better come Game Three.
Carl Tamayo on Game 3
"Kinausap ko lang yung teammates ko about sa experience namin. Sabi ko sa kanila, laban lang kami hanggang dulo," he said.
Drawing out that fighting spirit will be integral for the Fighting Maroons as the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball tournament goes the distance on Monday.
Unfortunately, the Diliman side failed to do so in Game Two where Ateneo took the 65-55 Game Two win, forcing a grudge match between the two sides.
Tamayo was at the forefront of the UP rally, commandeering his side from a 15-point deficit to get it to as low as nine, 63-54, with less than five minutes left -- a rally which ultimately fell short.
He finished with a team-high 15 points and three rebounds in the sorry defeat.
Still, the Mythical Team member stood firm on his belief for his own squad and said, "Confident ako sa teammates ko."
To Tamayo, the key for UP to still win it all is staying true to what has worked all season long.
"Stick lang kami sa sistema at sa game plan. May chance pa naman sa Game Three," he said. "We need to prepare lang and play the right way and I think we'll have a good chance at winning the championship."
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