Different, How?

Maroons add talent, coaching staff and train abroad, but results are the same.

The way the maroons have played the first two games of season 73 makes it hard to be a UP fan. The promise of glory all summer long had been simmering far too long.

It’s enough to have UP fans and alumni all giddy for a final four run.

The arrival of Mike Silungan. The addition of coach Boyet Fernandez. The continuing development of Magi Sison on Smart Gilas. The Las Vegas training. The new recruits.

Somehow none of these have mattered as State U has suffered back to back losses to start the season 0-2.

And it’s not just the losses. Its how they’ve lost.

The first game against La Salle reminded too many loyal fans of last year’s team.  Give La Salle all the credit in the world, but the Fighting Maroons were simply outplayed, outhustled and outcoached in the opener.

Against Adamson, turnovers again were the story but like in the La Salle game, UP simply got outhustled.

The Falcons got practically all of the critical offensive rebounds that pretty much sealed the deal for the Adamson victory.

It’s not too late, and it’s never too late for sports. Coach Aboy is a smart coach and can get his team to adjust. Once the team gets used to not just watching Silungan and Co dominate the ball, there is hope that the Maroons can be competitive.

Lets hope.