LA SALLE found a way to recover from a 30-point loss to the University of the Philippines with its high-octane tempo that turned an early 12-2 deficit into a 22-point triumph in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball finals.
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde admitted his team was outpaced and outhustled, resulting in his biggest defeat in three seasons in charge in Diliman.
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"In games like these, I thought that they (La Salle) had more energy. Such games teach us what kind of effort we need to put forth to get the championship. Part of La Salle's success came from rebounds. They were getting most of the 50-50s. It's significant, and we'll definitely learn from that," Monteverde remarked.
In the intensity of a finals matchup, Monteverde stressed the need for players to recognize the stakes from the start of the game, facing challenges collectively as a team. He pointed out the importance of overcoming pressure with resilience, stating, "We should take it like men to overcome it."
In a tightly-contested title series, both Monteverde and La Salle counterpart Topex Robinson share a common mindset instilled in their squads — to move forward and focus on what will be a decisive Game 3.
Monteverde said: "Kung ano ang nangyari today, we’re not gonna make any reasons kung ano ang turnout ng Game (2). But rather we’re gonna look inside us kung anong dapat naming ginawa. Ang importante rito may Game 3 pa so nandoon pa 'yung tsansa namin.”
He added how they should learn to be consistent in playing as a team — moreso at a big stage with such high stakes.
“Siyempre sa mga ganyang situation sa finals, it would really count how (we can) face challenges na hindi mag-isa but to face challenges working together, helping each other out," said Monteverde. "'Yun lang. Learn from it."
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