Harold Alarcon of UP Fighting Maroons in Game 1 of the UAAP men’s basketball final. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Harold Alarcon took the opportunity and hit two crucial trebles that put the University of the Philippines midway through the fourth round on their way to a 72-66 win, bringing the Fighting Maroons closer to the championship title. UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball championship on Sunday.
When Ateneo cut it to a two-point deficit in the pay period, 58-56, Alarcon stopped the bleeding with a three-point corner from Zavier Lucero’s save on Chris Koon’s pitch and took the lead. 10-2 with a three-step back to beat the opponent. shoot the clock and give UP a 10 point lead, 68-58, 4:39 left.
“Honestly, siguro, hindi naman yung first choice ko yung score. Nagkataon lang na open ako so tinake ko lang, yun lang yung target ni Coach Gold, pag open ka, tira mo. Tapos yung pangalawang three points ko naman, wala na siyang shot the clock, so tinira ko nalang. Tapos naka-shoot,” Alarcon said.
(Honestly, it wasn’t my first choice to score. It happened to be my mistake so I made it. And coach Goldwin. [Monteverde]Your goal is to shoot when you are open. It was my second three-pointer, so I just shot because the shot meter was running low. It just went in.)
In front of 18,211 fans, Alarcon was happy to take on his role and give his team 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. as the Fighting Maroons moved closer to their second consecutive title, which they try to win on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“For us, winning game 1 was a huge factor for us. We really need to win game 1 to stay motivated towards the next match,” he said in Filipino.
But like his teammates and coach, Alarcon vowed to stay focused and get the job done in Game 2.
“Hopefully we give our best. We’ll do whatever it takes to win it in Game 2. We want to win consecutive championships to give our graduating players a proper outlet,” he said.
UAAP Season 85: UP Fighting Maroons
UP coach Goldwin Monteverde talks about their 72-66 win over Ateneo with Zavier Lucero and Harold Alarcon stepping up in Game 1 of the Finals to move toward their goal of winning another UAAP title.
Sent by Sports Questioner on Sunday, December 11, 2022
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