Joe Lipa, architect of 1986 title winners, says UAAP Season 84 champions ‘most-talented’ UP team he’s ever seen – ESPN
Joe Lipa, the legendary coach and UP icon who piloted the UP Fighting Maroons to the UAAP title in 1986, paid the ultimate complement to the 2022 version of the team that won the school's first UAAP championship since that fabled title run of the 1986 team.
"This is the most-talented UP team I have ever seen," Lipa said of the Season 84 Maroons.
That's high praise coming from one of the best basketball coaches in Philippine history. Lipa added that the 2022 team is even better than his 1986 team.
"Yes (they're better)," he told ESPN. "Iba ang talents ng mga batang ito. Wala kang itatapon dito sa team na ito. Almost all of them are very athletic."
Regardless which team is better, there are several similarities between them. Both finished in second place behind the defending champions. Both had to survive a knockout game to make it to the finals. Both suffered heartbreaking losses in the prior season that denied them a seat in the finals.
1 Related
Additionally, some players on the current team remind Lipa of his own players.
"(Joel) Cagulangan reminds me of Eric (Altamirano) and Ronnie (Magsanoc), who are good under pressure. And the athletic ability of (Zavier) Lucero, he reminds me of Benjie Paras. (James) Spencer reminds me of Ramil Cruz and Joey Mendoza. He is a clutch shooter. (CJ) Cansino is also a clutch shooter. He's a very intelligent player and he reminds me of Ramil Cruz. Very smart player."
When asked to compare Season 84 Rookie of the Year Carl Tamayo with arguably the most popular player on his team, Benjie Paras, Lipa said both players possessed different skill sets.
"Tamayo is a tremendous athletic talent. It's different. First of all, Benjie is more of a post player. He relies on strength and his quick jump. Tamayo is very agile, very athletic and very mobile."
Lipa said the best-of-three title series could have gone either way, but that ultimately UP was destined to win.
"It was a matter of breaks of the game. UP defended very well, Goldwin (Monteverde) coached very well, and we ran our offense very well. On the part of Ateneo, Tab Baldwin coached very well also. But the breaks of the game really favored UP to be a team of destiny.
"Of all the teams in the UAAP, it was they who have proven themselves cool under fire. In a hopeless situation, they salvaged it, and they became tougher and tougher."
In fact, Lipa sees a chance for this team to do something his team wasn't able to achieve: repeat as UAAP champions.
"If the team will be intact, unless there is tremendous recruitment or changes in the other teams, UP will be dominating it for the next two or three years."
Lipa is also very happy for Monteverde, his former player at UNO High School, who has now joined him in the exclusive club of people who have coached the Maroons to a solo UAAP men's basketball title.
"Goldwin entered UNO in 1989. I was no longer coaching UNO but I was there as adviser to Milton Yu. I saw Goldwin there, and he impressed me with a cool demeanor and a very heady player. He was already a thinking player. He relied more on his mental aptitude.
"I wish him the best of luck. Good luck there, Goldwin, and keep up the good work."
Lipa said he was overjoyed watching Cagulangan give UP its first title in 36 years
"Just like any member of the UP community, I was very, very happy with our championship. After 36 long years... they deserve to be champions. The coaching staff was good, they worked very hard, and the players are very talented."
Just like his own 1986 team.
Excerpt from:
Joe Lipa, architect of 1986 title winners, says UAAP Season 84 champions 'most-talented' UP team he's ever seen - ESPN
- Massive Kaizer Chiefs injury boost ahead of Carling Knockout game against SuperSport United - Goal.com - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- What happens if a knockout game ends in a tie? World Cup extra time and penalty shootouts, explained - Yahoo Movies Canada - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- Oregon vs Utah Odds, Prediction & Picks | How to Bet Marquee ... - The Action Network - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- A Night of MADNESS! (Photo Essay) The Trend - The Trend Online - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- Sporting expansionism: Tournaments are out of control - RTE.ie - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- ICC World Cup 2023 points table after Netherlands beat Bangladesh - Geo Super - October 30th, 2023 [October 30th, 2023]
- New Current coach Vlatko Andonovski hopes to repay city's ... - KSHB 41 Kansas City News - October 23rd, 2023 [October 23rd, 2023]
- Womens World Cup 2023: Netherlands team guide - The Athletic - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Who are Club Len? The best team in the region | Vancouver ... - Vancouver Whitecaps FC - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- Israel's U20 basketball team looks ahead after silver medal - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2023 [July 20th, 2023]
- "They just had all bases covered"- Shane Watson shocked with Rajasthan Royals' dip in form in IPL 2023 - Sportskeeda - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- The pressure is on Knicks Ownership to Take a Crucial Next Step to ... - otdowntown.com - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Leyds wary of Leinster response after domestic 'hit' - EPC Rugby - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Never Saw Our Dads Respect Our Mothers: Julius Randles Wife Brutally Slams Ex-NBA All-Star for Lambasting Her Husband Before Playoffs Heartbreaker -... - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- IPL 2023: That Is My Biggest Six This Season So I Will Take It ... - SportzWiki - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- T20 Blast predictions and cricket betting tips - Racing Post - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Ranking the top 5 centuries by RCB batters in the IPL - Sportskeeda - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Heineken Champions Cup Final 2023: What To Know About Rugby ... - FloRugby - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Oilers move on to Round 2 after Kailer Yamamotos goal rescues them from Stuart Skinners blooper - The Athletic - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- UAAP: Josh Ybanez, UST regain winning ways ahead of stepladder semis - INQUIRER.net - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Interview with James Ryan: 'We are excited to face Toulouse' - Irish Post - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Cyril Farrell: 'There's no pressure on Henry Shefflin from Galway ... - Scoreline.ie - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Guregian: Celtics raise major red flags by blowing chance to close out Hawks - Boston Herald - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- Five Talking Points From Round 23 Of The Top 14 - Top Spot Up For ... - FloRugby - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- USWNT mock roster 2.0: Projecting the 2023 World Cup team - Just Women's Sports - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- Indian coaches must convey they mean business: Miranda - Hindustan Times - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- 5 Takeaways From Jets 5-2 Game 2 Loss Against Golden Knights - The Hockey Writers - April 28th, 2023 [April 28th, 2023]
- Sockers' season ends with 'Knockout Game' loss to Chihuahua in ... - The San Diego Union-Tribune - April 22nd, 2023 [April 22nd, 2023]
- CF Montral Returns to MLS Action on Saturday against the New ... - OurSports Central - April 22nd, 2023 [April 22nd, 2023]
- Leinster the envy of every club in the world - Jake - SuperSport - April 22nd, 2023 [April 22nd, 2023]
- Evergreen Giroud and a club first: All the key stats from Milans draw against Napoli - Yardbarker - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Howard University Holds Annual Truth and Service Game - The Hilltop Online - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Des Buckingham buoyant ahead of exciting game vs Chennaiyin FC in Super Cup - Hindustan Times - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Duane Vermeulen and Jordi Murphy inspiring rising Ulster star ... - The Irish News - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Alves Is MASL Defender-Of-Year; Vandegriffe Also Honored as ... - OurSports Central - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Sixers vs. Nets: Philly wins 121-101 to take Game 1 after clamping down Mikal Bridges in second half - The Philadelphia Inquirer - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- This is an opportunity that weve all been waiting for: Georges Niangs Inquirer diary lifts curtain on Sixers playoff run - The Philadelphia Inquirer - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Frank Lampard: Chelsea caretaker boss insists team is not broken with 'anything possible' against Real Madrid - Sky Sports - April 19th, 2023 [April 19th, 2023]
- Tropics Force "Knockout" Game, But Fall to Blast 3-2 to End 2022-23 ... - OurSports Central - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- DeMar DeRozans screaming daughter was the key to Bulls play-in victory vs. Raptors - SB Nation - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Wave Takes on Utica in Game One of MASL Eastern Conference ... - OurSports Central - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- What happened to Zion Williamson? All-Star forward wants to be fit 'mentally' before playing again - Sportskeeda - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Prometey overcomes Hamburg Towers to move to quarterfinals - Eurohoops - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- HURLING: Mid Tipperary hurling championship draws throw up ... - Tipperary Live - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Ricky Ponting: When you lose a player like Pant, it obviously leaves a void - Sportstar - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Blades look to close out series, while Pats try to stay alive in Game 6 - 650 CKOM News Talk Sports - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- AIFF likely to fine Kerala Blasters Rs 5 crore for walkout, no disqualification or points deduction - Times of India - March 30th, 2023 [March 30th, 2023]
- ICC Mulling Hybrid World Cup 2023 Model, Pakistan Likely To Play Its Matches In Bangladesh - ABP Live - March 30th, 2023 [March 30th, 2023]
- Real Madrid aiming to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in ... - PlanetSport - March 30th, 2023 [March 30th, 2023]
- DHL Stormers ready for Quins 'spectacle' in Cape Town - EPC Rugby - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Sprint to Post-Season Features Three Home Games, Starting ... - OurSports Central - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Newcastle Uniteds wonderkind Garang Kuol scores debut international goal - The Top Flight - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Who's hot and who's not: Freddie Steward call, Glasgow and All Blacks - planetrugby.com - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Ex-England international identifies RWC game Ireland 'want to lose' - RugbyPass - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Nine young midfielders that could dominate the game for the next ... - The Football Faithful - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- 5 impressive records held by Erling Haaland - Sportskeeda - March 28th, 2023 [March 28th, 2023]
- Real Madrid aiming to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in 2024 - report - Yahoo Eurosport UK - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Mancini willing to "mix things up" against England - VAVEL.com - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Im thoroughly impressed by Indias domestic players: Grace Harris - Hindustan Times - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- There is only one person I blame for Arsenals exit from the Europa league - Yardbarker - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Papa Johns pulls out of EFL Trophy: A slice of bad news for English ... - Daily Cannon - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- "We have to avenge the 2011 defeat"- Shoaib Akhtar wants an India-Pakistan final in 2023 World Cup - Sportskeeda - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Fantasy: Another Devine, Matthews show on the cards | Fantasy - Cricket.com - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- Gareth Southgate could win Euro 2024 and still not sway his ... - inews - March 23rd, 2023 [March 23rd, 2023]
- India vs Hong Kong China: Where to watch Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023 knockout game on OTT in India - Ottplay - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Punks apparently playing 'knockout game' wallop wrong victim a ... - November 22nd, 2022 [November 22nd, 2022]
- The Perennial Panic of the 'Knockout Game' Is Back in Headlines - November 22nd, 2022 [November 22nd, 2022]
- Brazen knockout game back in NYC, expert warns - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Inter push Barcelona to brink of Champions League exit - World Soccer Talk - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- 0-3: A win that sends them through to the next round of the Youth League - Real Madrid - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Orlando City vs. Inter Miami CF: Final Score 4-1 as Lions in Free Fall with Another Loss - The Mane Land - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Brazen Knockout Game Back in NYC, Expert Warns - American Renaissance - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Week 7: Short And Sweet, Heading For The 'Stretch' - Press Pros Magazine - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Gary Nevilleov Man Utd legend Neville reveals former team-mates used to call him a little Bulgarian we... - The US Sun - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Who are the favourites for the 2022 World Cup? England remain really quite high on the list - Football365 - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- IND vs SA: Indian Bowlers Need to Find the Killer Instinct to Choke Out Oppositions After Terrific Starts - News18 - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymars history at the World Cup: Goals, assists and awards as P... - talkSPORT - October 1st, 2022 [October 1st, 2022]
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Game Review | Common Sense Media - September 22nd, 2022 [September 22nd, 2022]
- 'If we're playing chess at home, we'd want to win that' - Padraig Doherty - Donegal Live - September 18th, 2022 [September 18th, 2022]
- EFL and National League clubs to be allowed to call off matches if they clash with England or Wales World... - The US Sun - September 18th, 2022 [September 18th, 2022]