University of the Philippines head coach Goldwin Monteverde in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of the Philippines is set for its seventh straight UAAP men’s basketball Final 4 appearance, and head coach Goldwin Monteverde is just as glad to see a surplus of stars step up.
READ: UP survives Adamson scare to punch Final 4 ticket
So far, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and Reyland Torres have not been the only Fighting Maroons to deliver, as the likes of Noy Remogat, Gani Stevens, Francis Nnoruka, and Miguel Yniguez have also starred for State U.
“Vina-value namin yung ganon, having more teammates stepping up,” emphasized Monteverde following their 70-65 victory over Adamson University on Sunday.
“Hindi naman syempre araw-araw papabor sa atin, so ang importante, somebody’s got your back,” added the two-time UAAP champion mentor.
UP secured its ninth win in 12 games on Sunday, but still in line for the Maroons are rivalry bouts vs. their Katipunan-rivals Ateneo de Manila University, and a Finals rematch against De La Salle University.
Which is why, while they are already assured to advance, Monteverde considers this as just another piece to their championship-repeat puzzle.
"Every time na may maa-achieve kang goal eh masaya. But you need to understand that it is only a part of the journey," he emphasized.
The next box to tick for the Maroons is a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4, and Monteverde said that maintaining their approach is the key to getting this.
“There are still a lot of things left for us to improve, so we still need to keep our focus and try to get much better,” he insisted.
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