The UP Fighting Maroons make their first appearance at the World University Basketball Series on the heels of a three-peat win at the FIlOil preseason tournament.
There is much work to be done for UAAP Season 87 champions UP Fighting Maroons as they compete for the first time at the World University Basketball Series (WUBS) beginning next weekend in Tokyo.
UP, who will be joined by defending champions La Salle as the two Filipino teams in the tournament, will seek to impress especially after ruling the Filoil EcoOil Preseason tiff last month.
UP skipper Gerry Abadiano spoke about the team’s goals that center on consistency, especially after they showed vulnerabilities even during their run towards their third straight Filoil title.
[READ: UP Fighting Maroons dominate NU to complete Filoil Preseason 3-peat]
“Kailangan namin maging consistent as a team. Alam naman natin 'yung game sa Filoil, hindi siya maganda lagi. Kumbaga, may mga times talaga na pangit 'yung nilalaro namin,” Abadiano told One Sports.
“So, gusto namin maging consistent [dito sa WUBS mula] first quarter hanggang fourth quarter and 'yun kailangan namin mag-work as a team pa siguro and mag-execute pa sa mga game plan lalo na sa defense namin and sa offense namin,” he added.
UP arrived in Japan on Sunday and have a number of days to prepare before they begin their campaign on Saturday, August 9, against Korea University.
With La Salle only in their sights if they reach the Finals, or if both UAAP teams unfortunately end up at the 5th place match, Abadiano is looking forward to take in all the lessons they can from the teams they face — especially since they could also possibly face teams from Australia, Chinese Taipei, and of course, Japan.
“First time namin maglaro [dito] sa Japan and siguro, 'yung mga nakakalaban namin sa WUBS, hindi kami pamilyar, except sa La Salle. Excited kami na makakuha ng mga panibagong learnings and ma-experience 'yung basketball dito sa Japan,” he said.
Regardless, Abadiano and the Fighting Maroons are focused on their long-term development, especially as a tougher grind looms by September when UAAP Season 88 rolls around.
As the days draw near, they’re eager to fine tune their play in the WUBS.
“Para sa team namin, sobrang laking bagay siya kasi du'n nakikita 'yung mga kailangan namin ma-improve and du'n namin mai-a-apply 'yung mga na-practice namin sa training," Abadiano said.
"'Yun, 'yung offseason 'yun 'yung way namin para ma-learn and para malaman namin 'yung mga kailangan pa namin i-improve and para 'yung growth namin sa team,” he added.