Life Goes On – Lopez and Alarcon on how they remain steady, keep their “next play mentality”

The UP Fighting Maroons’ hopes of a round one sweep were shattered by the DLSU Green Archers last Sunday, October 6, when they faced the defending champions in the much anticipated finals rematch. The Maroons went from being the top seed, to finishing the round in second place with a 6-1 record.

But as it was for the first six games, the team’s eyes will remain ahead, focusing only on their next destination instead of dwelling on where they’ve been. It’s a culture that’s been instilled in them; keeping their eyes ahead and their feet in the present, and that’s not about to change just because of a bump in the road.

After inconsistencies in their game against the UE Red Warriors, ending with what some of them have called a weak finish? Babawi lang sa next game. Falling behind in the first quarter by 22 at the hands of the Adamson Soaring Falcons? Remain patient and ready, and continue on. They’re all just stops in their journey, but once they pass, it’s in the past.

The Green Archers dealt the Fighting Maroons their first defeat. The end, now what’s next? In the end, the sun has already set. The dawn brings a new day.

The Next Play

When asked about the “short term memory” that he always mentions, Coach Christian Luanzon said that it’s just staying in the present, which he shared in an exclusive interview with the UP Fighting Maroons Club.

“This game, then the next,” is what might be understood, but their memory is even shorter than that. “Ang goal namin is always [for] the next play, the next quarter, the next game, to be better,” Coach Chris elaborated. It’s as simple as that. But what stood out the most was “the next play.”

“Pag nasa middle ka ng game, di naman namin iniisip na baka manalo o baka matalo. We’re just staying [in] the present.” These were Coach Goldwin Monteverde’s words after their game against the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

They’re not heading into the game to just fight for the dub, they’re in the game to execute their plays. One step at a time, one shot at a time, adjusting and responding with every second on the clock. Adjust and respond, adjust and respond.

A sentiment that Coach Chris Luanzon said they instill in the players is “Don’t play the score.” Wherever you are, whether you’re leading by double digits, leading by one, or if you’re down by a little or a lot, continue to play. Continue to play how you should play.

In the moment, it’s the next play that matters most.

Effort Wins Games

For Francis Lopez, another way of staying in the present is by always staying ready, especially on defense. It’s been said before that defense = effort, and that’s where Lopez’s mind goes to anchor himself in the present. “We just gotta be ready in every game,” he said during the post-game press conference after their first round game against the UST Growling Tigers, “especially on defense… [and] we gotta keep our heads up.”

In a very similar vein as the “Next play mentality,” as Coach Chris Luanzon phrased it, Lopez also expressed the importance of continuing to fight despite a bad performance. “Our shots weren’t really falling, but you just gotta continue.” With slow starts, you can’t always control if your shots are going to fall, but what you can control is if you continue to make an effort or not.

Lopez’s belief was backed up by Coach Chris Luanzon later on, when he explained their short term memory. “…these players, whether they make a nice play or a game winning shot, what’s important is that, as a team, yung effort nila [is there] on both ends.” He also stated that the effort is more important than the Xs and Os.

He also explained a saying that perfectly expresses Lopez’s mindset. “You’re only as good/bad as your last game.” The meaning of the saying is as simple as this: you either play good, or you play bad. Once that’s done, on to the next. Next game, you play good or you play bad. Once again, on to the next.

“There’s a saying that ‘you’re only [as] good as your last game.’ There’s also a saying that ‘you’re only as bad as your last game.’ So, ang point noon is maganda man ang laro mo, o hindi, what’s important is to stay in the present. So, these players, whether they make a nice play or a game winning shot, what’s important is that, as a team, yung effort nila [is there] on both ends. And then you give yourself a chance in the end.” – Coach Christian Luanzon

Not for the Faint of Heart

In the UAAP, there are many twists and turns, many factors that could affect how a game could turn out. But to make it far, you can’t afford to let that discourage you, and you can’t let that get to your head. The UAAP is not for the faint of heart, and that’s exactly what Coach Gold reminds the team during times of despair.

“Nireremind kami palagi ni coach Gold na kung mahina ang loob mo sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, hindi ka talaga tatagal sa isang bagay,” Harold Alarcon lamented when asked about how he keeps a steady mind. “Lalo na sa UAAP. Daming crowds, daming external distractions, ganito, ganyan. Yung important lang sa amin is yung sa circle namin. Kung paano namin harapin as a team, as [an] individual.” In spite of all the weight pulling them down, it all goes back to moving on to the next.

“Kung mahina ang loob mo sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, hindi ka talaga tatagal sa isang bagay.” – Harold Alarcon

Head Coach Monteverde strengthened Alarcon’s statement a few days after, when he talked about how they plan to keep their eyes ahead after their loss to the DLSU Green Archers. “Well, ganun naman talaga, life goes on. Kahit naman manalo ka, it’s still the first round. May one round pa na haharapin, and what’s important is to look at how to improve on yung laro namin ngayon as a team. I think we’ll take it from there.”

Alarcon, a moment after, echoed his coach’s mentality. “Para sakin naman, parehas kay Coach Gold. Kung anong nangyari ngayon, i-take lang namin yung mga learnings, tapos bukas ibang araw naman, pero di namin kakalimutan yung mga kailangang i-improve as a team.”

Win or lose, life goes on.

Life Goes On

From keeping their eyes on the present, to always giving an effort, to always remaining resilient, the steadiness and calmness of the team is something that overflows from each and every one of them despite bumps and bruises.

Their composure; the way they walk, that fire in their eyes, the way they continue to fight as if they know no fear… It all seems to come so naturally for them, but that strength is never without intention. The work they put into the foundation that is their steadiness is evident in their words, and it’s evident in the result. They continue to fight through the fear. And despite rocky terrain, it’s something they always go back to.

The trust they hold in their teammates, their coaches, themselves, and the plan; being able to display the “UP Fight” in how they never give up, it all stems from their efforts. From the pains and the learnings, and taking that, and building on top of it, learning from it.

So, despite not ending the first round of the UAAP with the high note that was hoped for, life goes on. And so will the team. “You’re only as good/bad as your last game,” so the team will bounce back stronger, taking the learnings from this past round, and giving themselves a chance in the end. What’s done is done, and what’s ahead is all that’s in sight.

Today is a new day… And the UP Fighting Maroons will continue to fight.

This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.