UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals Game 1 between UP Fighting Maroons and La Salle GReen Archers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines—Former University of the Philippines star Malick Diouf was in attendance for Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals between the Fighting Maroons and La Salle.
With his attendance comes his wish for UP in the best-of-three series–but it’s easier said than done.
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“For me, I want no more [extra] games,” said a beaming Diouf with Inquirer Sports at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
RESULTS: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 1 – La Salle vs UP
“[I want them to] only play one game then I hope it’s over… and I believe they can do it.”
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The Fighting Maroons are again one win away from winning the championship after raking Game 1 convincingly, 73-65, in front of 16, 202 spectators.
FILE–Former UP Fighting Maroons center Malick Diouf. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Senegalese big man hopes that the current line of Fighting Maroons could do what he had been unable to do for the past two seasons, which is to bring the UAAP title back to UP.
READ: UAAP Finals: UP shuts down La Salle to win Game 1
“Always the same message,” said the former foreign student-athlete when asked about what he told Goldwin Monteverde and company before Game 1.
“They’ve been together since last year and they’ve played about how many games by now. Now they’re in the Finals so [they have] nothing else to do but to give their best,” he added.
While Diouf was unable to give UP the crown in the past two seasons, he was an integral part in helping the Fighting Maroons take home the Season 84 title.
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Diouf was hailed as that year’s Finals MVP after posting 12.3 rebounds, 11.7 points, 2.7 steals, 2.0 assists and a block in three games against Ateneo.