By MARK REY MONTEJO
For three consecutive seasons, two hardworking teams were rewarded with the chance to claim the ultimate prize in the UAAP – the biggest and prestigious collegiate league in the country.
As the trilogy reaches its final act, both squads, with their graduating players all fired up, one is seeking for a rare back-to-back feat and the other is aiming for another great ride.
So expect high-octane action and movie-like drama as reigning champion University of the Philippines and La Salle begin their much-awaited Finals showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Following their nail-biting 82–81 semifinal escape over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers to book their 5th straight Finals ticket, the Fighting Maroons, armed with a week-long preparation, hope to repeat against the Green Archers in their 4 p.m. duel.
Playing for their final year alongside Gerry Abadiano, Janjan Felicilda, and Reyland Torres, Harold Alarcon and Terrence Fortea were laser-focused in the process, shrugging off the pressure, as they planned to secure a fitting exit with UP.
“Focus pa rin talaga namin sa preparation, ‘yong pinaka-goal talaga namin ‘yong gusto namin kunin, yung back-to-back,” said Terrence Fortea.
“‘Yong nga may goal kami pero siguro harapin lang namin muna yung day-by-day na process papunta rin sa finals. ‘Yon nga parang stay present lang kami always, ganoon na ‘yong tinuturo samin,” Harold Alarcon added.
As they chase for back-to-back crowns, the “Maroon Five” must produce extraordinary efforts plus the valuable help from Noy Remogat, Gani Stevens, Francis Nnoruka, and Sean Alter.
But surely, their efforts wouldn’t give them a definite answer, as La Salle seems to hold off momentum after its improbable performances that stunned league-leading National University twice in the semis.
Jacob Cortez, who wants to win it all for his father, La Salle legend Mike, powered the Green Archers to their third straight finals appearance, thanks to his clutch showing and career-high scoring of 29 points against the Jake Figueroa-led Bulldogs.
“Well, it will never, ever, ever be any personal stuff with UP or whatsoever. But we just want to enjoy the journey together. We want to make sure that every game that we’re going to play, which is Mike’s final year,” said La Salle mentor Topex Robinson. “But it’s going to be exciting. We’re excited to face them again. They really bring out the best in us.”
“I’m just thrilled to play in my first Finals with La Salle, hopefully we can deliver there and reclaim the crown,” said Cortez as he banners the Archers alomg with Phillips, Earl Abadam, CJ Macalalag, Vhoris Marasigan, Kean Baclaan, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo.
Meanwhile, NU Lady Bulldogs, who drew the first blood with an 84-79 Game 1 triumph, are looking to finish it off the UST Golden Tigresses in Game 2 of the Finals series starting at p.m.
NUNS, in the 16U, also guns for a closer to its best-of-three title series with Far Eastern University-Diliman.
