(Archers, Maroons agawan sa huling finals slot) IKAW O AKO

Laro ngayon:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

6 p.m. – UP vs DLSU

MAG-AAGAWAN ang University  of the Philippines at La Salle sa nalalabing  Finals berth sa UAAP men’s basketball Final Four decider ngayong alas-6 ng gabi sa Mall of Asia Arena.

Binura ng Green Archers ang twice-to-beat advantage ng Fighting Maroons sa 83-80 panalo noong Miyerkoles, sa pangunguna ni Evan Nelle na nagbuhos ng UAAP career-high 26 points.

Ang mananalo ay makakasagupa ng defending three-time champion Ateneo, na magaan na dinispatsa ang Far Eastern University, 85-72, upang kunin ang ika-5 sunod na Finals appearance.

“I think we believe that we just tied the series. Of course, the momentum will be on our side but we just have to make use of that advantage. We cannot just come in there and just play because we have that momentum,” sabi ni La Salle mentor Derrick Pumaren.

“I think we have to still work, we have to practice well tomorrow and prepare because we know UP is capable of coming back. They’re not the number two team if they’re not capable,” dagdag ng two-time UAAP champion coach.

Batid ng Archers ang kakayahan ng Maroons na rumesbak.

“We expect UP to come back. We expect UP to play a lot better on Friday but it is our job to hold that, to be able to counter, and react to what they will have,” ani Pumaren.

Umaasa naman si coach Goldwin Monteverde na papasok ang Maroons sa do-or-die match na may sapat na lakas tulad ng ginawa nila sa pagputol sa 39-game winning streak ng Eagles.

Ang UP ay naghabol ng hanggang 22 points sa second half at kinapos sa last-ditch comeback sa payoff period.

“Siyempre, sa mga ganitong klaseng game, you have to want it more than our opponent. ‘Di lang namin siguro na-match ‘yung intensity,” sabi ni Monteverde, kung saan ang kanyang tropa ay bumuslo lamang ng 28.9 percent mula sa field.

“Credit din sa La Salle kasi very prepared sila for this game. Yung energy rin is very high talaga. Ang importante right now is just to know where to adjust,” dagdag pa niya.