Goldwyn Monteverde isn’t about to take it easy, with the most important target being the UAAP title from September. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Goldwyn Monteverde insists on finding more ways for his bloated University of the Philippines (UP) squad to improve even after leading a pre-season tournament which clearly showed the Maroons’ ability to win back the UAAP crown.
“We deal with it day to day,” Monteverde said when asked if the Fighting Maroons’ triumph in the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup last Wednesday would create additional pressure in their UAAP bid later in the year.
UP defeated De La Salle University, 87-76, in the finals held in San Juan City to win the tournament title that serves as a dress rehearsal before the start of the college basketball season in September.
Tournament Most Valuable Player Harold Alarcon and Malick Diouf led the Fighting Maroons’ charge during the campaign, and they were also instrumental in getting past a La Salle side that were undefeated until the championship game.
But Monteverde thinks things can improve by the time UAAP opens, especially now that UP should have a big target on their backs.
“There will be a lot of questions about the UAAP, but what about tomorrow?” Monteverde said. “Because if you saw the game, you will see what needs to be improved. So every day there would be another challenge for us.
UP Fighting Maroons defeated La Salle Green Archers to win the Filoil Preseason title. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Fighting Maroons plan to travel to Serbia and possibly South Korea in July to continue their preparations to reclaim the UAAP title after falling short against the Ateneo Blue Eagles last December.
While Monteverde and her UP team still have a lot to be desired, La Salle hopes to atone for being bridesmaids and produce a different result in another title fight.
La Salle, going by the name EcoOil, is set to repeat himself as the winner of the PBA D-League Prospects Cup after his rout of the San Beda-flavored Marinerong Pilipino in their series opener at the best-of-three, 108-82, at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“The players know the school was expecting a championship yesterday, but we couldn’t win it,” assistant coach Gian Nazario said. “They’re just motivated to do it here in the D-League.”
The Green Archers, led by Mark Nonoy, CJ Austria and Michael Phillips, can win it on Monday at the same venue and match the feat they achieved last September when they led the D-League’s first tilt since the pandemic.
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