UAAP: Terrence Fortea makes well timed return for shorthanded UP

UP guard Terrence Fortea.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet

MANILA, Philippines — Terrence Fortea picked the right time to return from a proper knee harm as he helped College of the Philippines get again at defending champion Ateneo within the UAAP Season 86 males’s basketball event on Sunday earlier than a crowd of 17,406 at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.

After lacking the Preventing Maroons’ first eight video games, Fortea lastly made his much-anticipated return and had a direct impression with seven factors in simply 10 minutes of motion.

Fortea, who final performed in final 12 months’s finals loss to Ateneo, hardly confirmed any indicators of jitters and rust.

“Tagal ko na naglalaro eh, parang di ko na rin siya iisipan na kinakabahan pa ba ko, andito na ko. Mindset ko lang naman is makatulong sa crew para makuha yung panalo,” stated Fortea after UP’s 65-60 victory.

The third-year guard stated his eagerness after an extended absence coupled with the losses to Ateneo fueled his play.

“Yung bugso lang ng damdamin, parang hindi ko na siya iniinda eh dahil yun nga, natalo kami sa Ateneo, and yung final recreation ko pa, is Ateneo, talo rin kami midday sa finals,” Fortea stated.

Terrence Fortea.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet

Fortea went on a private 5-0 spurt late within the third quarter to assist UP construct a 12-point lead earlier than Ateneo leaned on Kai Ballungay and Jared Brown to tie the sport at 54-all halfway by way of the payoff interval.

Due to the clutch jumpers of Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and Francis Lopez, the Preventing Maroons survived the Blue Eagles to maintain the solo lead with an 8-1 report.

UP coach Goldwin Monteverde lauded Fortea and his different gamers for stepping up after lacking CJ Cansino resulting from flu and JD Cagulangan, who’s nursing a hamstring harm.

“As a coach, I’m completely satisfied not solely due to the win however I felt that they overcame no matter challenges got to our crew. I’m very pleased with them,” Monteverde stated in Filipino.