Heartbreaking finals loss should fuel Maroons, says coach

MANILA, Philippines -- A painful loss in the UAAP Season 86 finals should be a motivation for the UP Fighting Maroons next season, head coach Goldwin Monteverde said.

After taking a 67-63 lead over the La Salle Green Archers with 6:09 remaining in Wednesday's Game 3 following a putback by Malick Diouf, the Maroons entered a cold spell.

They were only able to score two points the rest of the game -- a putback by Francis Lopez with 2.2 seconds left -- as La Salle's suffocating defense was too much for them.

UP had various chances to either tie or inch closer, but none materialized.
With La Salle leading by three, 70-67, Lopez tried a 3-pointer that missed with 1:26 remaining.

On the other end, La Salle's Kevin Quiambao attempted a dagger 3-pointer but also missed. Lopez grabbed the rebound and threw an outlet pass to Malick Diouf on the other end, which was too high.

After a miss by Evan Nelle, Gerry Abadiano ran and attempted a layup with 38 seconds left, but was blocked by Quiambao.

After a steal by CJ Cansino, Harold Alarcon attempted a 3-pointer with eight seconds left that would have tied the game, but it badly missed. Quiambao had the rebound, but Lopez tapped it out.

"This [season] was big for their experience, especially for Lopez. Although we know his capability, with everything that he went through this seaon. Aside from talent and athleticism, there are a lot of things that he should learn as well," Monteverde told reporters after the game.

"I knew that this season, he gave his best. He's been big. And, for the other young guys, this kind of experience, in a way, they should know what it takes and work on that. They should not be content, and they should make it their motivation to bounce back," he added.

Monteverde also acknowledged the team's miscues toward the endgame.

"For me, it should not happen, but it happens to the best of us. We have to learn not to repeat those," the coach continued.

UP will have an almost intact core, with only captain CJ Cansino and former MVP Malick Diouf set to leave the team after exhausting their playing years.