Five straight UAAP Finals now for UP, and the FIghting Maroons look for more history with their first successful title defense in Season 88.
UP’s basketball transformation has been the story of the 2020s, with the Fighting Maroons set for their fifth straight Finals appearance in Season 88.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the program, who have gone from celebrating singular wins to now having the chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time in their history.
As the Fighting Maroons get set for their chance at a dynasty, here’s how UP fared in its previous Finals trips heading into this fifth straight appearance.
[RELATED: UP aces UST test to book 5th straight UAAP Finals]
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UAAP Season 84: def. Ateneo, 2-1
After being overwhelmed in their previous Finals breakthrough in Season 81, the Fighting Maroons finally put it all together against Ateneo in Season 84.
With a talented cast that included Carl Tamayo, Malick Diouf, Ricci Rivero, Zavier Lucero, and CJ Cansino, UP edged the Blue Eagles in a scintillating three-game series, highlighted by the sensational series-winner by JD Cagulangan in overtime of Game 3.
The victory marked the Fighting Maroons’ first UAAP championship since 1986, and the true start of their basketball golden age.
UAAP Season 85: lost to Ateneo, 2-1
The UP-Ateneo rivalry spilled into Season 85, with both teams eager for the title and to break their 1-1 deadlock from previous Finals.
The Fighting Maroons initially got the upper hand in Game 1, but would go on to lose in three games.
UP Finals loss marked a mini transition period, with players like Tamayo and Lucero leaving the team.
UAAP Season 86: lost to La Salle, 2-1
Season 86 brought a new challenge for UP, with the now no. 1 Fighting Maroons taking on the second-ranked DLSU Green Archers in the Finals.
Looking to regain the UAAP title, the Fighting Maroons delivered the most lopsided Finals result of the Final Four era, issuing a 30-point shellacking to the Green Archers.
However, that turned out to be the highest point of UP’s season, as the Green Archers responded with a 22-point blowout in Game 2 and a close victory in Game 3 to clinch the title.
At this point, the Fighting Maroons also said goodbye to key stars like Cansino and Diouf, further gutting the core that won the title two seasons prior.
UAAP Season 87: def. La Salle, 2-1
Season 87 provided the perfect redemption story for UP, as the Fighting Maroons once again drew La Salle in the Finals.
In a three-game classic, the Fighting Maroons pulled out all the stops to win a close Game 3, with one-and-done standout Quentin Millora-Brown and Season 87 Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez delivering the key blows.
UP finally regained its title, but the Fighting Maroons’ identity was slowly shifting, with QMB and Lopez leaving the team, as well as Finals MVP JD Cagulangan.
[RELATED: Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea vow to go all out in UP's bid for back-to-back titles]
UAAP Season 88: Finals vs. La Salle
With a retooled lineup, the Fighting Maroons got off to an inauspicious start in Season 88, going 0-2 and looking vulnerable.
Still, UP put enough good things together to finish as the strong no. 2 seed, then frustrated the UST Growling Tigers in a dramatic Final Four finish.
Now, the Fighting Maroons set their Finals trilogy against La Salle, with a different set of leaders in guys like Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, Francis Nnoruka, and Noy Remogat.
UP begins the UAAP Season 88 Finals against La Salle with Game 1 on Wednesday, December 10.