The UP Fighting Maroons aim to stay alive in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals as they lean on urgency and balance in a must-win Game 2 against the DLSU Green Archers.
With their championship defense hanging in the balance, the University of the Philippines brace for a must-win clash against De La Salle University in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals on Sunday, December 13, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Down 0–1 in the best-of-three series after a tight 70–74 loss in Game 1, the Fighting Maroons must respond under pressure or see their reign come to an end.
One of the players expected to be at the heart of that response is team captain Gerry Abadiano, whose energy, perimeter defense, and shot-making will be critical in UP’s bid to extend the series.
While UP leaned heavily on Harold Alarcon’s career-high 34-point explosion in Game 1, the Fighting Maroons know that a more balanced attack will be required to break through the Green Archers’ disciplined defensive schemes in Game 2.
UP will also look to reassert its physical presence through Francis Nnoruka, while Noy Remogat, Reyland Torres, and Terrence Fortea are looking to put up a much better outing after failing to breach double-digit scoring.
For head coach Goldwin Monteverde, the message heading into Game 2 is clear: tighten the details, trust the system, and match La Salle’s intensity possession by possession.
[ALSO READ: Monteverde calls for collective response as UP looks to regroup in UAAP Season 88 Finals]
With no room for error and a Finals legacy on the line, UP will need its players to rise to force another winner-take-all match in their rivalry with La Salle.
Game 2 tips off at 4:00 p.m.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo/One Sports)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]