University of the Philippines head coach Goldwin Monteverde commended his wards, not only for exacting revenge on their first-round tormentor in defending champion Ateneo de Manila University, but also for the character and maturity they showed despite playing without two key veterans.

The Fighting Maroons missed the services of CJ Cansino and JD Cagulangan last Sunday, exactly one week after absorbing a stinging loss to the Blue Eagles — the same squad that took away their crown in last season's finals.

Still, UP came out victorious to keep its tight grip of the lead in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men's basketball tournament.

"Me as a coach, I'm really happy because aside from the win, I saw how they handled the challenge in front of them," Monteverde said following their 65-60 victory last Sunday that was witnessed by a 17,406-strong crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"I felt that they overcame that and whatever challenges were thrown in front of them. I'm very proud of them."

A week after Ateneo dealt it a 99-89 setback that denied it a first-round sweep, UP played its heart out despite missing the services of Cansino and Cagulangan.

Cansino, who poured 22 points in their first meeting with Ateneo, went down with flu while Cagulangan had to rest with a minor hamstring injury.

With their absence, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, reigning Most Valuable Player Malick Diouf and Francis Lopez stepped up while Terrence Fortea came back from a knee injury to help UP pluck their eighth win in nine games.

Monteverde liked what he saw as the Fighting Maroons displayed composure when the Blue Eagles made a telling run to erase their 12-point lead late in the fourth quarter.

UP kept its cool in the crucial stretch to emerge victorious.

"For me (UP) has improved. We did improve and we've been talking about it that as the season progresses we also need to grow as a team," Monteverde said.

Monteverde added that the win is a sign of maturity.

"As I said, it's a challenge for us to stick as a team to overcome the challenges given to us during the game, especially in the crucial part. They did that so we just have to keep on doing it," he said.

UP won its second straight game and handed Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin his first five losses since taking over the squad in 2016.

But Monteverde downplayed the victory.

"It's just one of the battles that we overcame. We need to move forward from this. The best takeaway from this win is how we rebounded from a loss against them. I think that's the most important thing," Monteverde said.

UP will have a weeklong break before its rematch with De La Salle University on 5 November at the Mall of Asia Arena.