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UP's Terrence Fortea. UAAP Media
MANILA – Terrence Fortea once again delivered for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons when they needed it the most, proving why he's a deadly shooter.
Fortea came up clutch for UP on Wednesday, draining the triple with 48 seconds left in the game, to bring his team back to the UAAP Men's Basketball finals.
The Fighting Maroons escaped the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 82-81, to enter their fifth straight UAAP finals.
But for the graduating player, their hard-fought win over UST was a team effort.
"Actually masaya [ako]. Pero props parin talaga sa buong team. Yun naman talaga yung nagpanalo, hindi naman yung three points eh. Bawat isa sa amin nag-trabaho talaga para sa panalo," he said during the post-game press conference.
READ: UAAP: UP edges UST in cardiac finish to advance to 5th straight Finals
As the Diliman-based squad advances to the finals, Fortea says his veteran experience will come in handy in their next games.
"Sabi nga ni coach Gold [Monteverde], experience yung best teacher. Siguro thankful din na na-experience din namin yun sa limang taon na yun dahil alam namin na magagamit namin yun sa susunod na level as a player," Fortea said.
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde lauded his rewards for responding to his call, as they came back from being down 11 points in the opening frame.
"As a coach wala ka nang hihingin sa team, kung hindi yung effort na ipapakita nila sa game," he explained.
"Kapag nakikita mo yung team itself na, lalo na yung mga ito marami kaming ups and downs together. Alam ko nalang, I trust the team will bounce back. For that I'm very proud," Monteverde added.
As Fortea and the rest of the so-called "Maroon 5" move closer to the end of their collegiate career, he said his focus remains on their goal to defend their title.
"Siguro ako hindi ko siya masyadong iniisip. Yung preparation parin yung focus ko. Wala yun sa last na namin na magkakasama. Yung pinakagoal parin yung focus namin, yung makuha yung back-to-back," he said.
UP is awaiting the winner of the do-or-die game between the National University Bulldogs and the De La Salle Green Archers.