MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers are looking to build momentum in the second half of the first round of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, with both teams emphasizing consistency and stronger contributions from their supporting players.
UP escaped with a narrow 69-67 victory over the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, October 14, while UST snapped its two-game losing streak with an 81-69 triumph over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws on the same day.
The results improved UP’s record to 4-2, placing the Fighting Maroons in a three-way tie with FEU and the National University (NU) Bulldogs for the early lead. UST, meanwhile, moved to an even 3-3 record as it continued to develop its rotation around its leading players.
UP targets four-quarter consistency
Despite securing the victory against Adamson, UP acknowledged that maintaining its intensity throughout an entire game remains a major concern.
The Fighting Maroons opened strongly but struggled to sustain their performance in the middle quarters, allowing the Falcons to establish a 55-43 advantage heading into the fourth period.
UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon said the team’s fluctuating performances have contributed to its uneven campaign, which began with two consecutive victories before back-to-back defeats and another pair of wins.
“We lost two games, it’s been a little extreme, we lost two and won two again. We have a chance to make it three to finish the first round on a good note. I think we have to play consistently in terms of focus namin,” Luanzon said.
He added that the team needed to improve its concentration across all four quarters rather than relying on brief stretches of strong play.
“Kasi, if there’s one thing that we haven’t seen from our team is ‘yong being focused from all four quarters. Right now we’re playing in spurts, so, ‘yon nga just like this game,” he added.
The Fighting Maroons responded in the final quarter through Noy Remogat, who delivered timely baskets and knocked down a crucial three-pointer to help bring UP back into contention.
With the score tied at 60, Remogat, Veejay Pre, James Payosing and Gani Stevens contributed important baskets as UP completed its comeback and secured the two-point win.
Luanzon also pointed to head coach Goldwin Monteverde’s halftime message as a turning point in the team’s response.
“Just like Noy said, during halftime, may mga narinig sila kay coach Goldwin na hindi kanais-nais… But what’s important is how they responded, kulang eh, sabi nga ni coach Gold, hindi lang puwede na gustong-gusto, dapat,” Luanzon said.
UP will look to extend its winning streak to three games when it faces the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors on Saturday, October 17, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
UST looks for more support around its Fab Four
While UP focuses on sustaining its performance, UST is exploring ways to strengthen its supporting cast as its core group continues to lead the team’s campaign.
The Tigers’ Fab Four of Collins Akowe, Mark Llemit, Amiel Acido and Landyn Jumawan has spearheaded the team’s efforts, but the emergence of rookie Andrew Chio against FEU provided an encouraging sign for the España-based squad.
Chio scored 14 points in UST’s 81-69 victory, helping the Tigers recover from consecutive losses to NU and Adamson. The win also halted FEU’s momentum, leaving the Tamaraws with a 4-2 record.
With Gelo Crisostomo still recovering from a right knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprain, UST has been relying on its other players to provide additional production and make sound decisions alongside its established starters.
UST assistant coach Peter Martin said the team was looking for a reliable fifth player who could complement its leading four.
“For a meantime, it’s a three-headed monster… but we’re just looking for guys who can make good decisions, in terms of being with the four starters,” Martin said.
“And the fifth guy has to be somebody who makes good decisions, and tonight it was [Chio]. Even the guys from the bench, alam naman natin kung sinong ii-score, kung sino ang main guys,” he added. “Kaya ‘yong iba magdesisyon ng tama to support the four of them.”
Chio welcomed the opportunity, crediting the confidence of his teammates and coaches, along with the team’s preparation in practice, for helping him perform despite being a rookie.
“I would say playing well doesn’t give me confidence. I get the confidence from my teammates and coaches, because even though I’m the youngest of the team or a rookie,” Chio said.
“They still trust in me even like any other of the team. It doesn’t matter that I’m young, and I get the confidence from the work we put in practice because we just trust that and it will show in the game,” he added.
Tigers move on from painful defeat
UST’s victory over FEU provided a much-needed morale boost following a difficult stretch that included an 87-85 loss to NU, decided by Reinhard Jumamoy’s late three-pointer, and an 85-57 defeat to Adamson.
Llemit, who led UST against FEU with 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and one steal, said the team focused on moving forward rather than dwelling on its narrow loss to the Bulldogs.
“Sa training namin, lagi lang kami naguusap na wala pumasok ‘yong three points [ni Reinhard] eh, ginawa namin, move on na lang kami,” Llemit said.
“Nagusap-usap kami na ‘yong morale namin is same pa rin, kasi medyo masakit nga ‘yon and thankful namin kasi lahat nag-step up,” he added.
The Tigers will aim to carry that renewed confidence into their next assignment against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, who also hold a 3-3 record, on Saturday, October 17, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Both teams eye stronger finishes
As the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament progresses, UP and UST face different but closely related challenges.
For the Fighting Maroons, the priority is to sustain their focus and avoid the lapses that have allowed opponents to build leads. For the Growling Tigers, the emphasis is on developing dependable contributors who can ease the burden on their primary scorers.
Both teams will have an opportunity to test those adjustments in their upcoming games, with UP seeking to remain among the league leaders and UST aiming to build on its latest victory.
Their performances in the next stretch could prove important as the competition intensifies and teams look to establish their position heading into the second round.