WITH its eyes firmly set on reclaiming the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball crown, the University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde promises to have no letups.
"Expect na we will work harder to improve the team," he said, repeating the ethos which he has kept from the season's onset up to now when the Fighting Maroons tout a 9-1 win-loss record.
"Each game would be a stepping stone for us to be better and importante lang, we should be healthy as a team then in a way, we'll still improve."
Four games remain in State U's schedule and it can check one off its list, as it seeks to gain a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four when it plays cellar-dwelling National University on Sunday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Monteverde is well-aware of the dangers of the tendency to be complacent - and that's why he has hammered home the idea of keeping the hunger for UP despite its victories.
And even if they sport a flashy record other teams envy behind the brilliance of JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, and Quentin Millora-Brown, they really have achieved nothing yet.
"Siyempre, tao rin yung players at minsan, may mga times na we're trying to be ready for a game, but some things would not fall sa gusto mo. But then again, yun yung maganda sa basketball for me, kumbaga, yung mga nangyaring ganun would make us stronger. Each player would develop his character while playing," he stated.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs (2-8) will be fighting for survival as Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, and Steve Nash Enriquez try to keep the flame alive and snap this three-game slump at 3:30 p.m.
UE gotta get going again
In the first game, University of the East (6-4) looks to shake off its struggles when it tackles Far Eastern University (3-7) at 12 p.m.
The Red Warriors want nothing more than to put behind their off-shooting night in their 45-37 loss to Adamson on Wednesday, as Precious Momowei aims to will the Recto side back on track in their Final Four quest.
Veejay Pre, meanwhile, is seeking an encore for his career game in the Tamaraws' 79-70 loss to University of Santo Tomas, as the Morayta crew attempts to spoil the postseason picture anew.
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