Fighting Maroons keep eyes on prize

University of the Philippines (UP) isn’t satisfied with just winning consecutive games as it keeps its focus on the big picture.

Bringing the title back to Diliman remains the Fighting Maroons’ main goal, and their six-game winning streak is their way of drawing closer to achieving their mission in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

UP keeps a tight hold of the solo lead with an 8-2 win-loss record and is now within a couple of victories away from an eighth straight Final Four appearance.

“Coach Gold (Monteverde) makes sure that the focus of the players is really towards our goal, which is to get into the Final Four. And then hopefully, Lord willing, get back into the championship,” Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon said following UP’s 82-70 win over Adamson University on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We always remind the players that it’s not about being result-driven but it’s about the process. The mindset this week, as we had a little bit of a break to prepare for Adamson, and then we have Ateneo this coming Saturday, the mindset stays the same.”

After enduring back-to-back losses in the first round, the Fighting Maroons went on a red-hot roll to take the pole in the tight race for a Final Four seat.

Luanzon would like to believe UP is peaking at the right time and can sustain its ascent up to the final stretch.

“Well, sometimes, as a coach, you would like to think so. But at the same time, there are still a lot of things that can improve as a team,” he said.

“So, hopefully, the peak will come at the right time in terms of getting to the Final Four. And hopefully, getting also the twice-to-beat advantage.”

The Fighting Maroons’ romp also gave them full control of their destiny.

UP’s next assignments are against first round victim Blue Eagles, Far Eastern University, defending champion De La Salle University and National University.

“Coach Gold always reminds us about the situation of our team right now, come what may, we're in control. Because two things can happen. It's either we're the ones in control of this process, of our destiny. Or, if we're not in control, other people or other teams will control us, which we don’t want to happen,” Luanzon said.

“And obviously, we're in a situation where we're in control right now. So, we're just maximizing that and just trying to improve as a team defensively and offensively.”