THE last time the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons made it to the Final Four, the year was 1997. Playing with a holdover group from the previous season when State U also made it to the semis for the first time since 1986, the team was ripe and together. There was nowhere to go but up.
On the squad were three national youth players: the sweet shooting Paolo Mendoza, shifty guard Joseph “Ogie” Gumatay and the still gangly, but very able Bryan Gahol.
They were backed up by a solid core of role players: slasher Jonathan Serrano, Dexter Racho, Bing Victoria, Edrick Ferrer, Mon Garcia, Andrew Lapeña, Patrick Madarang, Allan Gamboa, Mark Jomalesa and rookie standout Jenkins Mesina.
Far Eastern University (FEU) had a twice to beat advantage but UP beat the Tams in Game One, 70-69. In the second game, FEU beat UP, 70-69. Sweet irony, huh. And FEU went on to win the championship of Season 60, beating La Salle twice in the finals, 62-60 and 65-64. From that year forward, UP has failed to make it to the Final Four again.
The closest it ever got to the semis threshold was eight years later, in 2005 (Season 68)—the year the UP Fighting Maroons rode on the spirited shoulders of Josant Cervantes, “Nestor-minator” David, Jino Ferrer, Ira Buyco and Marvin Cruz.
Then came the dark years. A series of coaching changes, flipped like playing cards through the years, led to instability within the team. Three seasons of 0-14 finishes in 2007, 2010 and 2013 placed the Fighting Maroons in supine position in the cellar—a finish never previously experienced by the UP community and caused many to lose faith in their Maroons.
But last year, a fire was lit in the Marooon’s bellies. In fact, a bonfire was lit right after UP avoided another winless season in 2014. Much criticized and ridiculed by some sectors for being “an ode to mediocrity,” it nevertheless delivered a message inward to the team and its support groups. It said, never again.
And with the direction and support provided by dynamic team manager Dan Palami, a hard-working support group (NowhereToGoButUP), new recruits, comebacking veterans, significant team building and a championship won in the Filsports Basketball Association (FBA) last summer, the die was cast for a rebooted, revitalized UP Fighting Maroons.
Perhaps the Vince Hizon-led FBA did a lot to turn the Maroons from boys to men in the short span of one summer. “We played against veteran players, many of them from the D-League and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). We represented Quezon City and were the only college team to participate. We were also the youngest. It was a different kind of experience for all of us and it taught us a lot of lessons. We learned to play tough defense and develop a new mental set. It helped to mold us into what we have become today,” said Gelo Vito, the suddenly sweet-shooting big guy who became the hero of UP’s opening game against the University of the East (UE) Warriors.
It is obvious that the Maroons underwent a turning point last summer. “Now they play like men. They can hold their own in physical play and are no longer collapsing in the end game. They have a different aura as well. See, they even lock arms on the bench and look like they have direction and a sense of purpose,” said Debbie Tolentino, a UP alumna. “They’re hungry, and it shows,” echoed PJ Pajar, another member of the UP faithful.
So. If you win it, they will come. Thus, the UP crowd has been coming in full force since Day 1 of Season 78, inspiring the Fighting Maroons to not just live up to their name, but also to win. Two wins in a row against UE, and then the Green Archers, put the Maroons on top of the standings and made the Maroons the new flavor of the month for basketball watchers.
Last Sunday two undefeated teams—the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers and the Fighting Maroons—squared off to decide who will remain at the top of the charts after five game days in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. The Growling Tigers, off to a better start and more consistent throughout, won, 67-59. But the Maroons also impressed by catching up with the Tigers, bucking high double-digit leads and even led UST by 1, before Ed Daquiaog—some say the new incarnation of UST ace, Danny Florencio—quashed UP’s hopes with consistent scoring. Still, UP’s gutsy efforts, down to the final canto, commanded admiration. And respect.
“Defense is key. We cannot relax. Defense is key if we are to succeed,” said UP Coach Rensy Bajar, describing his team as still a work in progress. Minimizing turnovers is another challenge that the Diliman squad will have to overcome.
Now, despite the loss, the team says it is back on track. Their goal—a Final Four finish—is still alive. “We should not give up,” adds Coach Rensy.
After three mournful seasons, the Maroons have finally tasted happiness and are back in the hunt. This time they’ve got it together. And they’re not going to let go.