LA Salle coach Topex Robinson was frank enough to admit that his side is coming in as underdog ahead of the much-awaited Finals rematch against the University of the Philippines on Sunday.
“We know how mighty they are. That’s a solid team with good players and great coaching,” he said.
Previous results have tilted the scales in favor of the Fighting Maroons over the Green Archers, with the maroon-and-green winning twice against the green-and-white in their clashes in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
UP won its first meeting against La Salle, 89-77, before storming back from 20-points down to take the 69-66 victory in the championship game.
“We played them twice and we’re really learning from them,” said Robinson.
But that was four months ago.
Since then, the two have barged into the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament as the undisputed best teams in the league, albeit with different roads being taken.
As much as Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips have carried the torch for the Green Archers, it has been a mixed bag for the Taft side as they sport a 5-1 win-loss record.
Compare that to the Fighting Maroons, who have ran roughshod on the league with an average winning margin of 14.5 points across their six games, furthering Robinson’s point.
That’s why for him, what matters more is the lessons that the defending champions will get - win or lose – in this 6:30 p.m. game at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We know it’s gonna be a long night against them, so we’re just gonna come and not gonna miss the opportunity to learn from them,” said Robinson.
A big part of that learning will be for backcourt players like Joshua David, Doy Dungo, JC Macalalag, and Lian Ramiro, as they try to make up for the guard play which has seemed to be La Salle’s Achilles heel so far in this campaign.
READ: UP has this leg up over defending champ La Salle. Find out what
That’s going to be a grand challenge with veterans JD Cagulangan, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, and Janjan Felicilda on the other side of the court ready to take over for UP.
“We want to take this opportunity para mag-mature yung mga guards namin against UP. Again, we just want to learn and see how they operate. We know that there’s gonna be some opportunities for us to learn, so ang sa amin, it’s not to beat UP, but to learn from UP because we’re still young,” said Robinson.
“We’re here for the long haul. We know na this is gonna be a journey for us. This is not the only time we’re gonna see them, so the more opportunities for us to learn against them is gonna help us. And for us, hintay lang kami sa opportunities na darating and we just want to focus on how we could really work together.”
Drive for five wins in a row for UE
In the first game, red-hot University of the East (4-2) attempts for its best start in 11 years, as it plays an up-and-down Adamson side (3-3) at 3:30 p.m.
The Red Warriors are riding high from claiming their fourth straight victory with a 69-62 comeback win over Ateneo and a triumph would propel the Recto side to a strong first round finish behind Precious Momowei, John Abate, and Wello Lingolingo.
On the other hand, the Soaring Falcons are motivated to recover from their tough 69-57 loss against UP where they squandered a 31-9 lead as Mathew Montebon, Cedrick Manzano, and Joshua Yerro aim to bring what has been a roller-coaster ride so far for the San Marcelino back to an ascent.
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