The University of the Philippines seizes a twice-to-beat semifinal incentive after turning back Ateneo de Manila, 79-75, in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Nov. 19, 2025. The Fighting Maroons battled from 16 points down in the second quarter and outlasted the Blue Eagles in the second half to rise to 10-3, securing at least a top two finish that merits that semis bonus. The Blue Eagles dropped to 5-7, tied with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in sixth place.
VIDEO BY NIEL V. MASOY
Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - vhttps://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe
Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net
Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook
Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram
Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter
DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion
Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Sign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newsletters
Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify
00:00It's big for us, especially for the Final Four, but then seeing the team bounce back from the first half, I believe we lack the energy in the first half, which the whole team towards the second half must have a lot of energy, so we just have to keep being consistent whenever we do the second half.
00:22Thank you to Francis, you had 17 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals, so as squad coaches, you lack energy in the first half, but you guys came back to win, so what can you say about your team's effort in the second half, so you can beat Athenia once more?
00:41Basically, all thanks to God for the win of Michigan and the 28th spot in the Final Four, and I'm happy about my team, because we bounce back, because we really lack the energy in the first and the second, but in the third and the fourth, you know, we had 13-hour reading, and, you know, we started playing better, you know, more intensity, so big shout-out to my team, too.
01:15So, being one of the years, so that team, anong sinaryon sa kanila nung halftime para makahabol kaya, eventually, manado, against Athenia.
01:23Um, siguro, lagi lang silang sabi sa amin, Rachel, na hong nakapagalaro, kung paan din lang, hong nakapagalaro, kung paan din lang, hong nakapagalaro, hong nakapagalaro.
01:42Anong sinaryon sa kanila, kung paan din lang, hong nakapagalaro, kung paan din lang, hong nakapagalaro, hong nakapagalaro.
02:00It's a good job here, sir.
02:05Sometimes, when there's a game, when there's a player that's what Jacob did,
02:12and he started to start with the rally,
02:19it's a very valuable team.
02:23For me, the whole game, actually, people are in the first half of the game.
02:36If you were twice a week, Lazaro is trying to get a good place in the final part of the game.
02:44For me, like any other team, you just need to be consistent.
02:50Like right now, we're not always going to be scared.
02:54We just have to watch and see.
02:56Even if we're in the second round, what we need to work on.
03:03Of course, we need to be prepared for them.
03:09At the same time, try to improve them more.
03:14So, what do you think?
03:17Why sweet?
03:19Ano yung mindset nyo right now?
03:21Para siyempre, maganda yung pwede nyo heading to the final part.
03:23Jerry?
03:24Um, siguro sa lahat naman nang games namin, sa inyong mindset namin.
03:28Um, every day, kahit anong mangyari,
03:30nangyari si Quattro, may niready na kami yung pangit ninyan,
03:33o yung maganda naman yun.
03:34Uh, ready na kami sa one naman yun.
03:36Kaya namin nirispod sa script game.
03:38And, siguro, uh, mula naman bago sa mindset namin.
03:41Uh, pabuto sa next game.
03:43Sa amin lang.
03:44Gusto namin na mag-inusisted.
03:46Um, alam naman natin, uh, yung later nila yung comeback nung 7-7-7-8.
03:50Pero para sa amin yung first half, talaga yung kailangan naman pagkulit nyo.
03:54Kailangan naman yung mula yung system namin yun.
03:56Pag-insta sa, siguro, kailangan namin tapos yung mula sa ganyan namin.
04:00Being the first year player here for UP,
04:02especially now you're entering your first final part,
04:05what's, what is your mindset?
04:06I know especially the games are getting tougher.
04:09Uh, I'll tell you the same mindset coming into the season.
Be the first to comment