The UP Fighting Maroons will be digging deep after experiencing the tragic loss of teammate Israel Friday just weeks ahead of their title defense in UAAP Season 88.
The UP Fighting Maroons will dedicate their upcoming title defense in UAAP Season 88 to their late teammate Israel Friday, who suddenly passed away at only 19 years old a few weeks ago.
According to UP captain Gerry Abadiano, Friday’s passing was a shocker to the whole team, and they are choosing to stick by each other during a very difficult time.
[RELATED: Latest UP recruit Israel Friday dies at 19]
“As a team, mabigat para samin. Kasi parang halos lahat, first time nangyari [na napunta] sa ganyang sitwasyon,” Abadiano told One Sports.
“Sinabi lang samin nila coach, and sabi ko sa mga teammates ko na ganon talaga, di ba? Hindi natin masasabi yung buhay kung hanggang kailan tayo dito,” he added.
Friday collapsed during UP’s practice and was unable to recover, which hovered over the Fighting Maroons’ minds even as they headed to South Korea for the last leg of their preparation for UAAP Season 88.
As they continue to deal with the consequences of what happened, Abadiano said they are looking to flip the script and hopefully give Friday a worthy tribute as they chase back-to-back UAAP titles.
“So, harapin lang namin yun. Mag-next play lang kami and gawin lang namin motivation yun para sa teammates namin. Si Israel,” he said.
The Fighting Maroons had a busy offseason, including multiple pre-season tournament locally and abroad. Heading into Season 88, UP is confident.
“So far, maganda naman yung preparation ng team and personally, okay naman yung pag-prepare namin ngayon season. Marami kaming mga out of the country na leagues or training camps, so nakakatulong samin yun pati yung mga offseason leagues namin,” Abadiano said.
“[Dun] na malaman namin kung ano yung kailangan namin i-improve as a team and individually. So sobrang laking bagay yung mga ganoong league,” he continued.
Abadiano is in his final playing year with the Fighting Maroons and will be flanked by his fellow veterans Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres.
UP will also be leaning on newcomers and transferees like Rey Remogat, Josh Coronel, Choi Palanca, and Francis Nnoruka.