The UP Fighting Maroons fell to the FEU Tamaraws, 90-79, on Sunday and have now lost back-to-back games. They have also dropped to 2-2 in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
With the Season 88 runners-up now in the middle of the standings, James Payosing is hoping the Fighting Maroons can develop character and take care of the rebounding department.
UP Surrenders Offensive Rebounds to FEU
Payosing was particularly critical of the Fighting Maroons’ effort on the defensive glass against the Tamaraws, who hauled down 20 offensive boards to UP’s 9 while also outrebounding UP, 47-35.
“Kita niyo naman siguro ’yung offensive rebounds nila. They made their shots, lamang sila ng rebound sa amin, and hindi namin sila ma-stop,” Payosing told reporters after the game.
Payosing was right in all accounts. FEU outplayed, outrebounded, and outhustled UP all game long on Sunday.
Payosing Pines for Character Development
Furthermore, Payosing believes this season’s Fighting Maroons need to develop their character, particularly in high-pressure situations and important games.
“Siguro ’yung positive na lang [is] may one week [break] kami, and kailangan namin ma-develop ’yung character namin, ’yung team namin ngayon in this kind of situation,” said Payosing.
The 23-year-old point guard, who got his first start of Season 89 against FEU, made the most of his minutes, tallying 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block. For the season, he is now averaging 8.75 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists and has become one of UP’s more reliable players. While he has been playing well this season, Payosing is hopeful the team can further grow together and get better as a unit.
“Mas higpitan namin ’yung kapit namin sa team namin and hopefully magandang opportunity ito for us na mag-grow kami. Hindi madali ’yung journey sa season na ’to,” he added.
For a team that lost a big part of its core from last season, growth is certainly needed—especially with multiple teams looking like potential championship contenders. The Fighting Maroons can grow more as a unit during their one-week break before they take on the lowly UE Red Warriors on October 17 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
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