JUST as everyone anticipated, the consensus two best teams in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament will dispute the crown, with La Salle and the University of the Philippines going mano-a-mano for the second straight year.
It’s a colossal matchup between the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons, with fireworks set to be lit up for Game One on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
La Salle coach Topex Robinson, however, isn't convinced that the green-and-white is coming in as the favorite even if it is the defending champion which had swept its elimination meetings against its finals foe.
“UP didn’t have a complete lineup. That’s what’s obvious during those first two meetings,” he said.
JD Cagulangan sat out the first round match-up due to an injury which ended in a 68-56 Green Archers victory last Oct. 6, before Quentin Millora-Brown had to fly out to the US for his grandfather’s burial which was just in time for the second round duel, a 77-66 win once again for the green-and-white.
“This time, they’re gonna be a complete team out there,” Robinson warned.
Tired of being Runner-UP
UP coach Goldwin Monteverde, meanwhile, was clear in his message that this is exactly what the Fighting Maroons wanted after finishing as bridesmaids in two straight seasons: a shot at redemption.
“Yung nangyari last season, we took it to heart sa first practice pa lang namin for this season,” he said, with the memories of Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips taking turns in snaring that series in three games still fresh on the minds of the Iskos.
“Kaya kami as a team, nandito na kami and we’ll start at 0-0 ulit, so we’re looking forward and we want to play our best.”
The game, set at 5:30 p.m., will also come with heavy implications for both teams: with La Salle looking for a repeat for the first time in two decades and UP also seeking to reclaim the throne in its fourth straight finals appearance.
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