UP vs La Salle series goes the distance anew in UAAP finals

Throughout their fierce finals bouts, the University of the Philippines have not won a Game 2 against De La Salle University.

That all changed last Sunday.

Bouyed by the UP faithful, Goldwin Monteverde’s side was able to notch a victory in the second finals match and send the series to a Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, December 17.

Literally having their playoff hopes dependent on a victory that night, UP deputy tactician Christian Luanzon praised his team’s hunger to win at all costs.

“When you lose Game 1, obviously the more desperate team has to be the one that’s down 0-1. Tonight we showed that,” Luanzon said.

Making the necessary adjustments in order to get a game back, the Diliman-based side had a strikingly different approach compared to their Harold Alarcon-laden offensive attack in the opening bout of the series.

Led by Gerry Abadiano’s 17 points, the Fighting Maroons were able to find scoring production in different men, while Francis Nnoruka and Rey Remogat contributing 13 and 12 points each.

Three more UP players scored five points or more.

With all to play for in the final game of UAAP Season 88, Abadiano and Luanzon guaranteed to the UP faithful that the whole squad will do their best to try and keep the crown in Katipunan.

“Come Wednesday in Game 3, one thing you can expect from us is to give it our all,” the assistant coach said.

“Mag-aadjust kami sa kung anong kailangan i-adjust ng team. Bibigay pa rin namin yung pinaka-best talaga namin as a team,” Abadiano claimed.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News