By MARK REY MONTEJO
If there was anyone who shone the brightest for reigning champion University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 Finals opener, it was no other than sweet-shooting Harold Alarcon.
But he needs help.
The 23-year-old cager from Silay, Negros Occidental caught fire and erupted with a career-high 34 points against De La Salle last Wedneday, Dec. 10. Despite his efforts, the Maroons lost, 70-74.
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde knew exactly what the problem was.
“Of course kailangan ng team ‘yon [Alarcon’s 34 points], but then hindi pwe-pwedeng si Harold lang,” said Monteverde.
“To be able to win sa finals na ‘to, it should take a team to be able to overcome whatever we’re facing, in terms of offense namin,” he added.
Alarcon, part of UP’s graduating “Maroon Five”, was only one of the two double-digit scorers for the Maroons alongside Francis Nnoruka, who chipped in 13 points.
Terrence Fortea, the hero in the Diliman-based squad’s 82-81 semifinal escape over University of Santo Tomas, Gerry Abadiano, Gani Stevens, Reyland Torres, and
Noy Remogat, who had a quite three-point performance, all combined for a measly 28-of-63 shooting.
“We just have to play better than this, for one, pangalawa, try to find one anong lapses na mayroon kami, and this is not the first time na natalo kami,” Monteverde continued.
“So, we’re reminding ourselves na we started 0-2 nga, I believe ‘yong team namin knows how to bounce back in the situation. We just loss a battle, of course it’s not over yet, we have two games left and we’re still positive,” he added.
UP tries to force a rubber match with La Salle in Game 2 this Sunday, Dec. 14, at the same venue.
