FIGHTING MAROONS SUMANDAL SA DEPENSA

Laro bukas:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
6 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (Men Finals, Game 2)

NAGING sandigan ng University of the Philippines ang depensa para pataubin ang Ateneo sa Game 1 ng UAAP men’s basketball finals.

“Defensively, we started well,” wika ni coach Goldwin Monteverde makaraang maitakas ng Fighting Maroons ang 72-66 panalo kontra Blue Eagles noong Linggo ng gabi sa harap ng 18,211 fans sa Mall of Asia Arena.

“‘Yung movement ng bola was really there. I like the way the team (was) looking for the open man. They had their run kanina, but at least na-sustain naman namin nung bandang fourth (quarter),” dagdag pa niya.

“Preparing for Ateneo, alam naman namin kung anong klaseng team ang Ateneo. Hindi naman tayo talaga puwede mag-relax. We’ve always talked about it na playing against Ateneo, we should really play good defense.”

Naghahabol sa 60-70, nagawang tapyasin ng Blue Eagles ang deficit sa 65-70, may 2:13 ang nalalabi.

Gayunman ay naging susi ang depensa ng UP para mapigilan ang paghahabol. Isang halimbawa nito ay ang pagsupalpal ni Zavier Lucero kay Ange Kouame, na nagselyo sa panalo.

Aminado si Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin na naging susi sa panalo ng Fighting Maroons sa opener ang kanilang depensa.

“Execution during the whole game was difficult because the pressure from UP was very good,” ani Baldwin.

“We certainly have to figure out ways to compensate for the pressure that they have. I’ve talked about it before. When they have those six guards who are able to generate that kind of template for a game defensively, you’ve got to find counters,” dagdag pa niya.

“We thought we had some, but we need more.”

Napuwersa ng Fighting Maroons ang Blue Eagles na gumawa ng 15 turnovers, lima ay nagmula kay Forthsky Padrigao.