IN a potential title-clinching Game Two of the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball finals, the University of the Philippines may be forced to sit out one of its top guns in Francis Lopez.
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde bared Lopez will be a 'gametime decision' for the second game of the bestof-three series against De La Salle.
READ: 'Zero pressure' as UP rookie Francis Lopez owns Finals stage
"Francis will be a gametime decision for Game 2. We’re prioritizing his health and hoping for a speedy recovery as he deals with flu. Active or inactive, UP will fight with all that we have," Monteverde said.
The Maroons rookie had a 'pressure-less' Finals debut, in his own words, with a double-double display of 15 points and 11 boards to tow UP past La Salle in a lopsided 30-point Game One rout.
However, the chance to repeat such heroics is in doubt as Monteverde, his staff, and Lopez himself will have to make an all-important decision in the hours leading to the 4 p.m. tipoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But whether Lopez does end up playing or not, he is nonetheless expected to receive his first UAAP seniors plum as the presumptive Rookie of the Year in the men's basketball awards ceremony one hour before Game Two.
Also set to be feted is the league's Mythical Five led by runaway MVP Kevin Quiambao, who'll be fighting from the front as the Green Archers aim for sudden death in the title series.
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