IN LOPEZ WE TRUST: Monteverde expects recovery from embattled star

University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde maintains full confidence in prized forward Francis Lopez despite his late fourth quarter mental lapses in their Game 2 loss to De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s basketball finals.

Lopez faltered and crumbled under tremendous pressure with four consecutive missed free throws and a costly turnover with under a minute left in the pivotal match that allowed the defending champions to eke out a come-from-behind, 76-75, escape and level the best-of-three championship series rematch Wednesday night.

Still, Monteverde has no regrets about having the ball in Lopez’s hands during the tense moments of the cardiac Game 2 witnessed by a 17,112-strong live audience.

“If it boils down to the last feed… we’ll still look for him. We have our full trust in him,” Monteverde said as he affirmed his faith in the Season 86 Rookie of the Year.

“As I said, each member of the team will try their best to make shots or execute. But then, I assured it that our trust will always be there.”

The Fighting Maroons, who took the series opener last Sunday, squandered a nine-point lead in the early minutes of the payoff period as the Green Archers behind back-to-back Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips patiently chipped away their deficit.

Phillips sank the go-ahead basket, 76-75, with 1:07 left before Lopez got on the line for a chance to regain the lead with 53.1 seconds left.

He, however, missed his pair of charities amid the jeers and distractions from the raucous sea of green, which came alive in the last minute after going quiet for most of the second half.

The Diliman-based squad got another crack at getting back in front when Lopez drew another foul from Quiambao after UP forced La Salle to commit a turnover. But nerves got into Lopez’s head again as he bricked two more free throws with 25.6 ticks left.

“It’s no excuse. I just missed it, you know. Can’t do nothing about it, move on,” said Lopez, who scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half and plucked nine rebounds.

An opening gave the Fighting Maroons another chance after Phillips came out empty from the foul line. Lopez grabbed the crucial board only to throw the ball away with an errant pass intended for JD Cagulangan.

Quiambao was put on the stripes with 12.1 seconds left but missed both shots as Lopez grabbed the rebound and got the rock into the hands of Cagulangan.

Lopez struggled to catch Cagulangan’s crosscourt pass and fumbled on his dribble crossing the half court line before recovering and passing the ball to an open Gerry Abadiano, who heaved a potential game-winning triple that only kissed the front of the rim as time expired.

“I believe we didn’t have any timeouts at the end. We were just looking for the open man. I have turnovers, and you know, we just couldn’t get it to Maimai (Cagulangan), that’s about it,” Lopez added.

Despite the booboos, the 6-foot-6 cager is holding his head up as the series is far from over although it did come another full distance for a fourth straight time for the Fighting Maroons.

“You know, we still have a Game 3. We still have another opportunity. We’re gonna be focused on that one,” he said.

Game 3 is on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.