Games Sunday
(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
1 p.m. – UST vs NU (series tied at 1-1)
3 p.m – Men’s basketball awarding ceremony
4 p.m. – La Salle vs UP (Archers lead 1-0)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
A day before it marks its title-clinching 66-62 win over La Salle that triggered a massive celebration last year, University of the Philippines is once again on a mission – one may call it a mission of no return.
Yes, that’s because their backs are now against the wall. And for that, the Maroons can’t afford to commit too many mistakes and make hurried shots.
If the Maroons can’t recover from a Game 1 meltdown, then it’s going to be a sweet redemption for the La Salle Archers who suffered one of the school’s painful losses on Dec. 15 before a record 25,248 spectators at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
And defending on which side you are, Sunday’s game, Dec. 14, is likely to attract a mind-boggling number of UAAP fans at the Mall of Asia Arena as the Archers and the Maroons clash for the fourth time this UAAP Season 88 – one going for their latest coronation and the other looking to live for another day – at all costs.
Gametime is set at 4 p.m., an hour after the men’s awarding ceremony.
Also worth watching is the 1 p.m. do-or-die finals duel between National University and University of the Santo Tomas for the women’s diadem.
Despite prevailing in their past three encounters, including a 74-70 win in Game 1, La Salle head coach Topex Robinson remained wary, knowing full well that the Maroons are capable of bouncing back.
And having respect for their modern rivals plays a key role for the Green Archers to maintain their focus as well as not get carried away by their emotions.
“We know that winning Game 1 doesn’t make us a champion yet, but it gives us extra motivation to really go at it. We have so much respect for the team [UP],” said Robinson.“We reminded ourselves that playing 100% doesn’t guarantee a win against UP… if we could add more, that will be better.”
“But we know that’s really a championship caliber team. Kaya kahit paubos na ‘yong oras we know they are going to pull off something, so that keeps us grounded and vigilant… we know their capabilities,” he added.
Another sub-plot to the intense action is the marquee duel between La Salle’s Jacob Cortez against UP’s Harold Alarcon.
The crafty UP guard recorded a career-high 34s points but it was Cortez who had the last laugh after a crucial three that all but took the fight out of the Maroons.
Apart from Cortez, Robinson can also could on Luis Pablo, Mike Phillips, Vhoris Marasigan, Kean Baclaan, JC Macalalag, and Doy Dungo.
UP can avoid the embarrassing scenario of being swept in the best-of-three series if others like Francis Nnoruka, Noy Remogat, Gani Stevens, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea would also produce significant numbers.
Meanwhile, the Tigresses hope to put a fitting sequel to their 95-70 Game 2 win to reclaim the women’s crown. The Lady Bulldogs took the opener, 84-79.
