Maroons go for kill, dream crown

MANILA, Philippines — A win away from a dream crown, University of the Philippines presses its drive, going for the jugular versus beleaguered rival Ateneo in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball finals at the Mall of Asia Arena today.

For a team that has never come this close to the UAAP throne since its lone title run 1986, UP eyes the finisher versus Ateneo in their 6 p.m. setto.

The Fighting Maroons set themselves for the kill in pulling off a huge stunner in Game 1 via overtime, 81-74.

“Syempre may 1-0 advantage kami pero we still have to be prepared and ready. We have to focus on the (ultimate) goal,” said coach Goldwin Monteverde, whose wards notched back-to-back come-from-behind wins to move on the cusp of ending their long championship drought.

If ever, the Maroons would also trample the Blue Eagles’ dynasty, ending their reign as three-time defending champs.

After squandering its twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four against No. 3 La Salle, the second-seeded UP erased a 14-point deficit in the do-or-die semifinal, 78-74, to barge into the Last Dance – where it fashioned out another stellar resolve in the opener.

Ranged against the mighty Eagles, the Maroons embraced the challenge and put on a defensive clinic in the fourth quarter and overtime with a 21-6 finishing kick for a stunning Game 1 victory.

Now, they’re on verge of a destiny.

But the defiant Ateneo will not hand it over on a silver platter without a fight, brimming with confidence that it can drag the “Battle of Katipunan” to a winner-take-all Game 3 to keep its four-peat alive.

“We believe that we can turn this result around. It’s a three-game series for a reason so we intend to work our tails off and get this thing in a third game and do the very best we can to win the championship,” said mentor Tab Baldwin after Ateneo tasted its first finals loss in four years.

The Blue Eagles last lost in the finals against La Salle in Season 80, which they still won to ignite a UAAP dynasty.

They have been lording it over the league since then with three straight titles including 39 consecutive wins and a 13-0 start this season before the Fighting Maroons played spoiler anew and ended it in the last game of the elims.