Lyceum of the Philippines University head coach Gilbert Malabanan said they will treat themselves as the underdogs when they see action in the Final Four round of the NCAA Season 99 despite carrying a twice-to-beat incentive.
The Pirates formally clinched the final playoff bonus when they eked out a 98-86 mastery of Arellano University on Sunday behind the heroics of Mclaude Guadaña, John Barba, and Enoch Valdez to secure a top two finish.
Malabanan, however, stressed they won't dwell that much on their twice-to-beat advantage when taking on their semifinals foe.
"Actually, oo, nung nakaraang (season) baligtad naman ‘yung nangyari. Ngayon, kami ‘yung may twice-to-beat pero same thing," Malabanan said.
"Mas iisipin namin na ‘yung kalaban namin ‘yung may twice-to-beat para lalo kaming pumupukpok."
(Yes, last season was the opposite. Now we have the twice-to-beat advantage but it's the same thing. We will think that the opponent has a twice-to-beat so we can continue to pound.)
LPU is no stranger to being at a disadvantage.
After Malabanan took over the post from Jeff Perlas in 2021, it became a tough road for the Pirates at first as they finished their campaign in Season 97 at the eighth spot with a dismal 2-7 win-loss card.
They had a huge turnaround in Season 98, surprisingly making the Final Four behind former team captain Renzo Navarro and the core of Valdez, Barba, JM Bravo, and Shawn Umali. Unfortunately, the Pirates sank after losing to eventual champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran in their Final Four clash, which saw them saddled with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
With its history, LPU will use this familiar situation when they play their semifinals challenger, whoever that may be.
"We’re very happy na ando’n na kami sa number two at may twice-to-beat but the job is not done," Malabanan added.
"Kumbaga simula pa lang ‘yan ng talagang tatahakin naming landas."
(We're very happy that we are at number 2 and we have the twice-to-beat but the job is not done. This is just the start of the road we will tread.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
