UP has made the finals for five of the last six UAAP seasons, but it has only produced one title so far.
It has been a bittersweet stretch for the UP Fighting Maroons in recent years in UAAP men’s basketball.
That is, although they have established themselves as true title contenders since their breakthrough season in Season 81, there hasn’t been much to show for it for the Diliman team, save for their title in Season 84, which broke a 36-year drought.
Having been to the finals in five of the last editions of the UAAP men’s basketball championship, UP only has one title to show for it — and a lot of heartbreak finishes along with it.
Though the first finals loss against Ateneo didn’t sting as bad in 2018, as if the Fighting Maroons were just glad to be there, UP has been legitimately been contending for the finals in the past three years.
But since winning it all in Season 84, the Fighting Maroons have been left wanting with back-to-back runner-up finishes against Ateneo and La Salle in Seasons 85 and 86, respectively.
Adding to the heartbreak is that UP won both Game 1s in those series, before squandering the lead in a three-game contest.
Being forced to swallow bridesmaid finishes in the past two years have left the Diliman players with a chip on their shoulders, and now faced with another chance to breakthrough, the Fighting Maroons are ready to give everything they’ve got to finally get over the hump.
“'Yung talo namin last season sobrang sakit din na naranasan namin yun, tapos day by day iniisip namin yun tuwing practice, tuwing game, para maging motivation.” said UP spitfire guard Reyland Torres.
Not to mention that the Fighting Maroons are locking horns with the DLSU Green Archers again this year, which they have established a storied rivalry in recent years.
Although they have yet to defeat La Salle in their elimination round meetings this season, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde said that it all goes out the window when it comes to the championship round.
“Sa amin naman, from the last season, yung nangyari sa last season. We took that to heart sa first practice pa lang. We as a team, ‘yung goal namin is to take it one game at a time. Ngayon, nandito na kami. Yan ang maganda sa finals, mag-start kami ng 0-0. It’s a best-of-3 series.” said Monteverde.
“We’re looking forward to preparing and playing our best.” he added.
For veteran guard Harold Alarcon, he is tempering his expectations but promised to go all out in their preparation.
“Siguro para sa 'kin, expect nothing na lang pero magpe-prepare, magiging ready lang kami for everything na mangyayari sa Finals. 'Yun nga, masakit 'yung nangyari sa amin nung dalawang Finals na runner-up. Tingnan na lang natin this season.” he said.
UP and La Salle begin the latest chapter of their UAAP men’s basketball rivalry on Sunday, December 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tip off is at 5:30 p.m.