The dream of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons continues.
And making it past the National University Bulldogs in their 4 p.m. game today at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo will help in the Fighting Maroons’ cause in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.
“This is the time we need to do something so that we will have a chance at the Final Four. Whether we are immature or mature, we need to do something to win the next game and the next and the next,” said Fighting Maroons’ coach Bo Perasol.
Getting past the Bulldogs will put UP in a share of fifth with the Tams.
The Bulldogs have a 3-7 card after they took a 64-79 setback to the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles.
For Perasol, UP has a great chance of reaching the Final Four since they last made it 1997.
“I’m really positive about our chances. How we played was a sign of our immaturity as a group but I told them, this is not the time to think about that,” opined Perasol.
Earlier, the La Salle Green Archers, who are in third at 6-4, meet the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (5-5) at 2 p.m.
The last time around, the Green Archers got big numbers from Justine Baltazar, Santi Santillan and Brandon Bates as they fought off struggling Far Eastern University, 65-57,
Their efforts allowed La Salle to keep their place at solo third, with Baltazar hitting 15 points and hauling in six rebounds and two blocks.
Santillan had 12 points and 14 rebounds while Bates had his best game of the season with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Green Archers’ coach Louie Gonzalez said the the trio are now playing the way he expects them to.
“This is what I really want from the start.’Yung team na pini-picture ko is kahit sino sa mga players ko, makakatulong sa amin,” said Gonzalez.”‹