University of the Philippines goes for the finisher and claim history when it tries to sweep reigning champion Ateneo in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, May 11.
Tipoff is at 6 p.m. as the Fighting Maroons try to break the 36-year title drought since bagging the UAAP men's basketball title in 1986 behind the efforts of Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Eric Altamirano.
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, however, maintained a laser-sharp focus despite drawing first blood against Ateneo with a thrilling 81-74 win in overtime last May 8.
The Maroons also handed the Blue Eagles back-to-back losses since their last meeting in the elimination round on Labor Day, breaking the defending champions' 39-game win streak since October 2019.
"Sa akin kasi, to be honest, 'di ko talaga iniisip 'yong streak nila before or about just beating Ateneo. It's more on about, kumbaga naka-focus lang kami lahat lagi doon sa goal namin," said Monteverde.
"Siyempre, if we have a goal along the way, kung sino man makaharap mo, we gotta do something to overcome that. To me, I just give my best and just help the team and kami, to help each other to achieve this. 'Yon lang talaga iniisip ko," added the multi-titled juniors' champion coach.
James Spencer, Zavier Lucero, Ricci Rivero and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Carl Tamayo are expected to man the frontline for the Maroons.
Over in Katipunan, Ange Kouame, the top contender in the Most Valuable Player race, takes the leadership role along with SJ Belangel and Raffy Verano.
Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin, for his part, keeps his head high up and remains optimistic that his wards can turn things around and force a Game 3 on Friday, May 13.
READ: Baldwin, Eagles eager to bounce back vs UP
"There is talk that, you know, 'Hey, this is just Game 1 and we have to win Game 2 and we're still in it' and that is important and it's true," said Baldwin after a solemn locker room session. "But these are guys that have their pedigree is winning basketball games, not losing basketball games and they're bit fish out of water right now but they have to learn the lessons from losing.
"I said that after losing to UP the last time and I think they were the patches of the game we played very well but obviously not nearly enough and UP deserves the credit," added the three-time UAAP champion coach.