Poor shot selection cost University of the Philippines a potential sweep following its 55-65 setback to Ateneo de Manila University in Game 2 of their University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament best-of-three finals series late Wednesday.
Fighting Maroons assistant coach Chris Luanzon said they have to be smarter when it comes to shooting if they want to retain their title against a dangerous and hungry Blue Eagles side.
In Game 2, UP logged a miserable 21-of-66 field goal shooting while struggling to score in the shaded lanes with only 20 points compared to Ateneo’s 36.
Luanzon said head coach Goldwin Monteverde issued a marching order that they should all be on the same page when they march to Game 3 this Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“That’s the judgment of the players and like what coach Gold always says is that this is an imperfect game,” Luanzon said.
“The decisions of the players on the floor are imperfect and it is just a matter of minimizing the errors, especially against a very efficient Ateneo team.”
“He’s not really results-oriented. It’s all about the process for him and before that big game on Monday, our practices and our mindset will be crucial in the next few days.”
Shortly after being crowned as Most Valuable Player and Mythical Team member, Malick Diouf greatly struggled, finishing with just two points while Zavier Lucero — the best player for UP in Game 1 — crashed in the final 8:31 following a scary fall.
Lucero was carried out of the playing court and is set to undergo magnetic resonance imaging to determine the extent of his injury.
“He is being scheduled for an MRI. We’re hoping it isn’t anything serious,” Monteverde said.
“As a human, there will be times your decisions aren’t the ones appropriate in the situation. I believe Malick will overcome his shortcomings from this game.”
