IS La Salle’s biggest weakness also the University of the Philippines’ biggest strength?
It sure seems like it, all the more with the Fighting Maroons' backcourt delivering the goods so far this UAAP Season 87.
Wednesday’s game against University of Santo Tomas saw UP, which was missing the services of lead guard JD Cagulangan, leaning on its other guards - and still found a way to pull off an 81-70 victory.
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Counter that to the Green Archers, who are now starting to feel the effects of not really having a legitimate point guard - even as the likes of Joshua David, Doy Dungo, and JC Macalalag do their darndest.
As such, reigning Season and Finals MVP Kevin Quiambao has to shoulder a bigger burden, taking over ballhandling and playmaking chores as their other guards try to adapt to playing the point.
Still, State U refuses to buy in to the hype ahead of the Finals rematch on Sunday.
For Janjan Felicilda and Gerry Abadiano, it’s simply stepping up to the challenge.
“Naging ready lang kami, lalo na wala si kuya Maimai (Cagulangan). Nag-ready lang kami sa mga challenges,” said Felicilda, who collected eight points and seven rebounds.
Abadiano, who notched 10 points and four boards, added: “Challenge para sa amin yun kasi si JD talaga, alam natin kung gaano kabeterano. Hinarap lang namin yung challenge at maganda naman ang kinalabasan dahil nagampanan naman ng ibang guards yung ginagawa ni JD.”
UP's security at guard
What can’t be denied, however, is the depth of the guard rotation that UP has.
When Cagulangan isn’t there to man the point, players such as Felicilda and Abadiano, as well as the likes of Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Chicco Briones can fill those gaps and make plays.
“Sobrang laking bagay sa amin yun na may ganoon kaming players na kayang lumaro ng uno at dos, lalo na si Terrence at Reyland,” said Felicilda.
With that, the maroon-and-green has gone on a rampage, claiming all of its six games by double-digits and owning an average winning margin of 14.5 points.
But as invincible as they seem, the Fighting Maroons made it clear that it’s all thanks to their culture, which has kept them level-headed despite all of the challenges they’ve faced in this campaign.
“Lagi lang tinuturo ni coach Gold [Monteverde] na every time may challenge, mag-respond lang kami,” said Abadiano. “Kailangan lang na maging mentally tough kami kasi 'di naman nawawala yung challenges eh. Habits lang sa ginagawa sa training, mula nung training camp hanggang ngayon, nasanay na lang din siguro yung team namin na every time na may challenge, magtulungan lang kami.”
Felicilda agreed, noting, “Sabi nga sa amin ni coach Gold, hindi naman nagsa-stop yung learnings namin. Hindi kami dapat maging complacent, lalo na’t hindi pa tapos yung season.”
And with a chance to complete a first round sweep with the defending champions last standing in their way? It’s probably safe to expect more of the same from UP.
“Same lang yung approach. Kahit sino naman ang kalaban namin, ang turo lang sa amin is ibigay yung best at mag-stick sa game plan no matter what happens,” said Abadiano.
“Maglalaro lang kami sa game plan namin at stay focused lang,” added Felicilda. “Kung ano man yung challenges sa Sunday, doon na lang kami mag-adjust.”
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