GOLDWIN Monteverde will never forget the pain of losing Game 2 of a UAAP finals for the fourth straight season - especially when he and the University of the Philippines were already up 1-0 in the best-of-three series in all instances.
Just a tad better is how he’s fared in Game 3s, with one win out of three.
After a title drought-ending Season 84, Monteverde’s Fighting Maroons lost the last two championships in back-to-back Game 3 heartbreaks to Ateneo in Season 85 and then La Salle in Season 86.
READ: UP Maroons a worrisome 0-4 in Game Twos of UAAP Finals
Even if they failed twice in recent memory, however, what he and the rest of State U will carry in a fourth Game 3 in a row on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum is that one time they did win it.
And that’s all the belief they’ll need to see this series through.
“Mas naaalala namin ‘yung Game 3 nu’ng [Season 84]. Nakuha naman namin,” Monteverde told SPIN.ph.
UP (will) fight
Speaking from experience, Monteverde shared his own approach to Game 3s through the years which he’s grown to consider as familiar territory.
“Before going to Game 3, you just have to take it a day at a time,” UP’s champion mentor said.
“As I’ve always said, ang importante is how to prepare for that game at kung paano kami babangon from this loss.”
But before it comes to any of these, the Fighting Maroons must first move on from Game 2, crushing as such a loss might’ve been.
READ: Francis Lopez quick to move on after errors cost UP Game Two
As their soft-spoken shot-caller put it, “If we won’t get over this situation, ano pang saysay ng Game 3?”
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