‘Dapat may gigil': UP coach stresses Maroons' need for aggression

MANILA, Philippines -- The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will approach every game of the UAAP Season 87 with aggression and hunger, head coach Goldwin Monteverde said.

The Fighting Maroons, who have seen runner-up finishes in the past two seasons, will try to get back on top of the food chain as one of the deepest teams this coming season.

With a core made up of a healthy mix of youngsters and veterans, UP is one of the favorites to take home the men’s basketball title.

In an interview with reporters, Monteverde underscored that the team should be aggressive in every game of the season.

“Every game, dapat may gigil. Hindi kami pwedeng mawalan ng gigil,” he said during the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Basketball Press Conference on Wednesday.

“Dapat iyong hunger namin on getting back and try to achieve yung ultimate goal namin, we need that hunger na hindi pwedeng mawala sa amin,” he added.

UP fell in the finals against the La Salle Green Archers last season. The year prior, they also fell short against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Monteverde also stressed that he expects this season to be competitive.

“Like I said, lahat ng team para sa akin, malakas. Lahat ng coaches, magaganda programa. So, kailangan every game pagpreparahan,” he said.

UP will face Ateneo in the season curtain-raiser on Saturday, 6:30 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.