UP Fighting Maroons and La Salle Green Archers begin their UAAP Finals duel on Sunday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
None of the previous results between La Salle and University of the Philippines (UP) matter when Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament gets going.
Even two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao of the Green Archers knows that. All that matters is who will come in more prepared for Sunday’s clash at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Article continues after this advertisementLIVE: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 1
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS NCAA: Mapua gears up for possibility of title defense without its star SPORTS Mapua ends 33-year drought, wins NCAA title with sweep of Benilde SPORTS NCAA Finals: Allen Liwag left speechless after Benilde heartbreaker“I think, coming to this finals, right now it’s back to 0-0,” Quiambao said as La Salle renews its rivalry against the Fighting Maroons that started last season. “No matter what the history of our past games in round one and two, this is a new game.”
Game 1 kicks off at 5:30 p.m., with desire also expected to play a huge role between two powerhouse clubs reeking with talent.
Article continues after this advertisement“We need to be more focused, [especially] on the details,” added Quiambao.
Article continues after this advertisement
UP Fighting Maroons and La Salle Green Archers begin their UAAP Finals duel on Sunday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
But La Salle is the overwhelming favorite coming into that title-bout with the crown on their heads and a four-game winning streak against the State U dating back to their series last season. UP last defeated the Archers in Game 1 of that same series with a whopping 30-point beatdown.
Article continues after this advertisementAnd the Maroons, who ended a 36-year championship drought in Season 84 before two consecutive bridesmaid finishes in the years after, took that personally and made it their driving force this season.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals – UP vs La Salle
Article continues after this advertisement“For us, what happened last season, we took that to heart starting our first practice this year,” UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said. “Now that we are [back in the Finals] the good thing is that we start 0-0. It’s a best-of-three series.”
“Our defeat last season was really painful and we thought about it every day during practice, in every game that [loss] served as motivation,” UP guard Reyland Torres said.
READ: UAAP Finals-bound UP looks to change story of past two seasons
The first time that the two schools met again this season, the defending champion came home with a 68-56 decision.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
La Salle won again in the second roundgvg777, 77-66.
READ NEXT Cignal hangs on in Cebu Familiarity helps Yang at Eastern EDITORS' PICK WPS tit for tat: Sending Navy Floated as PH option South Korea president apologizes but doesn’t resign over martial law fiasco Pediatricians seek approval of new antidengue vaccine Constitution mandates action on impeach raps vs VP Duterte – solons PCG: Warship deployment in West PH Sea as policy option up to Marcos Candidates’ online campaign platforms due by Dec. 13 MOST READ WPS tit for tat: Sending Navy floated as PH option Pay guidelines for Dec. 8 holiday issued Behind every home is a story: 30 years of P.A. Properties Jose Manalo proposes marriage to longtime partner Mergene Maranan Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments