Alarcon, Torres crave for revenge

University of the Philippines’ (UP) stinging loss in the finals rubber match last year remains fresh in the hearts of gunners Harold Alarcon and Reyland Torres.

They saw how De La Salle University, which the Fighting Maroons crushed in the series opener, celebrated its conquest and felt the frustrations of losing a second straight championship showdown.

Now back in the finals against the same rivals that broke its heart a year ago, the duo and the rest of the UP side approach the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s basketball tournament finals with a mindset of settling an unfinished business.

“What happened to us in the past two finals, ending up as runners-up was really painful. But let’s see how things would turn out this season,” said Alarcon, who helped UP win the crown in Season 84.

The Fighting Maroons are coming into the best-of-three finals firing off on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum riding the crest of a three-game winning streak including a 78-69 drubbing of University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four.

However, UP is tempering expectations, especially after being on the losing end of two elims head-to-head against the Green Archers.

“Expect nothing but we’ll prepare well and be ready for everything that could happen in the finals,” Alarcon said.

Torres, who is in his second year with UP, reveals that last year’s championship loss serves as fuel to keep the Fighting Maroons’ title aspirations burning.

“Our loss last season was too painful for all of us. Every day during practice we think about that. Every game, it’s in our minds. We’re using that as motivation,” Torres said.

Torres figured in a spat with La Salle head coach Topex Robinson during their first-round match.

The forward accused Robinson of spitting on him while the Green Archers mentor said Torres hurdled profanities at him. Both escaped with just a stern warning from the league.

“Our mindset is to be ready. Coach Gold (Monteverde) said that we should always give our best effort and push our limits whoever we go up against,” Torres said.

Aside from the usual suspects Season 86 Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez, big man Quentin Millora-Brown and Season 84 finals Game 3 hero veteran guard JD Cagulangan, the Diliman-based squad will also bank on the hot hands of Alarcon to finally solve the La Salle puzzle.

Alarcon finished with a career-high 33 points to end the elimination round and dropped 16 markers in powering UP to its fourth straight championship stint.

“This will boost my confidence heading into the Finals,” Alarcon said of his offensive explosion of late.

“I need that and the team needs that. We should all be ready for whatever defense they throw at us.”