'Full heart' UP women zoom to best start in 15 years
MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons’ character was tested once again as they were dragged into the deep water by perennial powerhouse UST Growling Tigresses in their UAAP Season 86 first round encounter, 73-69, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
In the third quarter, a chink appeared on the Fighting Maroons’ armor as they were down by double digits against last season’s third placers. Yet the Diliman-based team strived, chipping away at UST’s lead, and entered the fourth period only down by two, 45-47.
Despite the added pressure of their undefeated record, the Maroons kept cool and collected until the clutch as they traded baskets against an equally determined UST side.
After the game, the Maroons pointed to their no-quit attitude as the reason for being able to match their best start in the UAAP since 2008.
“Every time pag lumalalamang, kapag nagkaka-momentum yung kalaban, yung mindset ko, and yung sinasabi namin sa team is ‘full heart’ lang,” said Kaye Pesquera, who led the Maroons in scoring with 17 points.
“’Di pa tapos yung laban. Sinasabi [din] namin na magiging kalmado lang kami, and we will fight,” she added.
Reliable veteran Christie Bariquit also mirrored Pesquera’s sentiments.
“Kapag nakikita ko [yung teammates ko], gusto ko lang i-motivate sila. Lalaban tayo. Kalma lang. Kasi yun nga, full heart lang kami sa larong eto.” she said.
Meanwhile, it was also freshman Louna Ozar who made her presence felt in the endgame, finishing with 16 points, one rebound, two assists, and four steals. She made crucial free throws at the end of regulation.
For her, it was all about sharing the burden of the game as well — with no finger pointing involved when someone makes a mistake.
“We have good cohesion, and we just shared [everything],” said the Fil-French guard.
“We never blamed [anyone] because it’s not a good thing. Just share with each other,” she added.
UP will look to maintain the same mindset when they face Season 85 runners-up La Salle on Wednesday, October 18.
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