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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Maroons eye big first-round finish vs Archers

Maroons eye big first-round finish vs Archers

Published Oct 13, 2025 04:02 pm

At A Glance

  • The Diliman-based squad is set for a rematch against last year's finals opponent, the De La Salle University, with both teams aiming to finish off their respective first-round campaigns on a high note.
UP's Gani Stevens (UAAP Media)
UP's Gani Stevens (UAAP Media)
Reigning champion University of the Philippines learned its lesson the hard way after opening the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament with back-to-back losses that put an early scare to its two-peat run this year.
The Fighting Maroons turned the pain into progress and rolled into their fourth straight win via a 69-66 escape over Far Eastern University Tamaraws Sunday, Oct. 12, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The State U remained grounded as it openly admitted that it is far from reaching its best form heading into the second round.
“Malayo pa. But we're building towards it and coach Gold would always emphasize, at least compared to the first two games… What's important for us is every game, every practice, we're improving.” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
“And that's been evident not only in the games but also in our practices. So we just gotta continue to build towards it, especially approaching the end of the first round,” he added.
The Diliman-based squad is set for a rematch against last year's finals opponent, the De La Salle University, with both teams aiming to finish off their respective first-round campaigns on a high note.
“First thing, I'm just happy that we have one week to prepare which means there's time to rest and at the same time to scout,” added Luanzon as UP battles La Salle on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Second, we cannot be too high and too low approaching that game… but you cannot discount the fact that it's going up against a rival team. We played them in the finals,” he added.
Continuing to establish himself as the Maroons’ “next big thing” is the 6-foot-7 Gani Stevens who anticipates an exciting matchup versus Mike Phillips.
“Obviously, you know, La Salle's got a lot of talented guys over there. [Luis] Pablo, Philips. So, I come with that mindset. I've come to every game,” said Stevens.
“I already know that I'm a little bit undersized, but I make up for that with energy, physicality, and just trying to do my job the best I can and as long as I trust the system, trust my teammates, I know everything's gonna work out,” he added.

Related Tags

UP Fighting Maroons UAAP Season 88 La Salle Green Archers
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