Monteverde wants 'strong starts' from UP after two come-from-behind wins
MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons are 2-0 to begin their title retention bid in UAAP Season 85, but with their wins coming from close calls against tough rivals, the defending champions have been far from dominant.
In their victories against La Salle and Adamson, UP needed to claw themselves back from double-digit deficits due to slow starts. As the season progresses, head coach Goldwin Monteverde wants to see a more consistent game from his wards.
"Syempre pag ako, ayaw naman natin kapag slow start. Hangga't maari, gusto natin [ang strong start]." Monteverde said after their 87-78 OT victory over Adamson on Wednesday.
"Yun ang what I think we need to work on, yung how to start strong," he added.
Monteverde believes that his team have more under their belt than their sluggish starts -- as their big second half plays in the past two games have shown.
"Nakikita naman natin towards the second half, kaya naman namin maglaro ng mas maayos. So, if we could do it from the start until the game ends, syempre yun yung goal namin." said Monteverde.
Still, the architect of UP's championship isn't hitting the panic button just yet despite back-to-back games that saw them struggling.
"Well I guess, catch [up] man or not, what's important is what we would get from it. We just have to figure out what to work on so as the season progress, I think we'll still improve as a team." said Monteverde.
"Importante lang we just have to really give importance sa mga adjustments." he continued.
UP will try to hit the ground running when they face the winless FEU Tamaraws on Saturday, October 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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