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By: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines (UP) guard Jett Manuel remained positive even after the Fighting Maroons saw their unbeaten run in the UAAP Season 78 tournament end at the hands of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
After a historic 2-0 start, the Maroons bowed to the Growling Tigers, 59-67, last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. They got off to a slow start, rallied in the second half, but eventually fell short as they could not stop UST’s Ed Daquioag in crunch time.
Manuel, one of the heroes of UP’s upset win over De La Salle University last Wednesday, had only nine points against the Tigers, and missed a crucial lay-up late that could have made it a one-point game. The Maroons, as a team, struggled against the Tigers’ pressure defense, and wound up committing 20 turnovers in the game.
“Siguro pa-practice naming ‘yung mga press break namin,” Manuel said after the game. “Minsan kasi, nangyayari sa game ‘yan.”
“Siguro, overconfident kami, kasi naka-dalawang panalo na kami. So babawi na lang kami,” he promised.
UP head coach Rensy Bajar admitted the loss showed that the Fighting Maroons still have a long way to go, although like Manuel, he remains in relatively high spirits.
“Together pa rin (ang team),” he said. “Okay naman, pero siyempre, masakit ang pagkatalo.”
Manuel, for his part, is grateful for the trust that Bajar has given to the Fighting Maroons.
“Grabe ‘yung binibigay na kumpyansa ni Coach Rensy,” he said. “Iba talaga. Malaki ang tiwala niya sa amin.”
“Sayang lang ngayon,” he rued.
Photo: Mark Cristino/ABS-CBN
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
