UP centered on objectives, not exterior expectations, in UAAP title protection

All eyes can be on UP because the Combating Maroons attempt to win back-to-back UAAP championships for the primary time in class historical past, their lineup nonetheless formidable regardless of the departure of key gamers from their title run in 2024

MANILA, Philippines – A lot has been mentioned about UP’s title-retention bid within the UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball match, however the Combating Maroons select to dam out the noise.

All eyes can be on UP because it tries to win back-to-back championships for the primary time in class historical past, its lineup nonetheless formidable regardless of the departure of key gamers JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Francis Lopez.

“By way of stress, the one stress we placed on is the requirements we placed on our crew and the gamers placed on themselves greater than the skin circumstances, no matter persons are saying,” mentioned assistant coach Christian Luanzon.

The Maroons, who ended a 36-year title drought when it captured the Season 84 crown in 2022, nearly repeated in the identical yr because it reached the Season 85 finals solely to lose to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a best-of-three collection that went the space.

UP hopes to get the job carried out this time with a brand new proficient flooring common in tow.

Rey Remogat, a Legendary 5 member throughout his time with UE Crimson Warriors, provides firepower to a stacked Maroons backcourt that additionally options holdovers Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, Janjan Felicilda, and Jacob Bayla. 

The UP frontline of head coach Goldwin Monteverde is simply as loaded, with Sean Alter, Gani Stevens, and Francis Nnoruka forming a triple tower.

However the Maroons don’t depend on expertise alone as they labored on their cohesion up to now months by holding coaching camps in Serbia and Korea and becoming a member of the World College Basketball Collection in Japan.

“We had good experiences there, making an attempt to construct our crew and the chemistry that we’ve been on the lookout for and all of that on and off the courtroom,” mentioned Luanzon.

Standing within the Maroons’ manner are the La Salle Inexperienced Archers, who’ve saved an equally harmful roster regardless of the departure of two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao as they search to reclaim the throne they misplaced in Season 87.

The UST Growling Tigers, who final gained a championship in 2006, are additionally anticipated to problem UP.

For Luanzon, it boils right down to UP residing as much as its requirements.

“[Our expectation] is similar as all the time: our dedication to excellence by way of giving every thing on the courtroom,” mentioned Luanzon.

“Coach Gold all the time reminds the gamers that they signify greater than themselves, not simply the identify on their backs.”

The Maroons open their title protection in opposition to the Tigers on the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, September 21. – Rappler.com