News & Updates

UP Fighting Maroons need better defense, says QMB

Photo source: UAAP Media Team

The finals rematch between the UP Fighting Maroons and the DLSU Green Archers ended Round 1 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament with a bang. The Fighting Maroons fell short, losing to the Green Archers by 12, 56-68, thanks in large part to a slow start and the winners’ hot shooting from deep.

Harold Alarcon was the top-scorer of the Fighting Maroons with 19 points to go with 5 rebounds, while big man Quentin Millora-Brown recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards while doing an impressive job defending DLSU’s MVP candidate Mike Phillips in the second half.

The man known as QMB did a great job guarding and containing Phillips, who registered 4 points and 8 rebounds, his second-lowest scoring output of the season.

While this was an achievement in itself, QMB was more focused on not getting the win while speaking with ALL-STAR Magazine after the game.

“I mean, what matters to me are wins and losses. I’d rather get a win, but you know, I just try to do my best every game, so that’s really where it’s at,” he said.

He also shared that he prepared to face Phillips just like any other player in the UAAP, where he’ll be playing for just one season.

“I mean, I prepared the same way I do anyone. I just, you know, watch tendencies, see what they’re going to do, and then make my adjustments as the game goes on.”

QMB shares that this loss was a learning experience UP needed in order to work on what they lack.

“I think it’s a good learning experience for everyone on the team, myself included. I think that there were a lot of mistakes that we made to learn from, and I think it’s a good time for us to make these mistakes and have to pay for them, you know,” said QMB.

He added:

“We’ve gotten away with a few things against other teams, but they made us pay tonight, so I think it’s something that we’ll take and learn from and use to fuel us in Round 2.”

In preparation for the second round, QMB said that his squad needs to work on better defensive execution.

“I think it’s just double down on defense for all of us. As we really draw our best, when we can get stops, and then first to eight seconds to score. Making adjustments and learning how to play better defense as a team is going to be our focus.”