A lot has changed since the University of the Philippines Men’s Football Team (UPMFT) hoisted the championship in front of a sea of maroon and white back in 2024.
The turf was adjusted. The captain’s band has been passed down. New names have entered the pitch.
Two years later, the Fighting Maroons are within championship territory once more, with recurring characters, such as Ramil Bation III and Fonzy Gonzalez, spearheading their rally for redemption.
Within the coaching staff of tactician Popoy Clarino, the Diliman-based squad houses a familiar face that once graced the field with State U’s pride but now aids the squad on the sidelines.
That is Angelo Pagdanganan.
Donning the Maroon
Before being UP’s Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coach, the 24-year-old defender had fallen in love with the game prior to setting foot on UP’s grounds.
As young as three years old, Angelo had a knack for playing the sport after watching and playing with his three older brothers.
Attending Claret School of Quezon City, he represented the Red Roosters during his stay, before trying out and being accepted by the Fighting Maroons in Season 79 under the guidance of coach Anto Gonzales.
Coming back from the pandemic and the heartbreaking conclusion from the year prior, UP stormed Season 86 with a hunger to win it all.
The then-defender Pagdanganan was a pivotal cog in the Maroons’ path to gold, blasting UP’s eighth and eventual finals-clinching goal in a tense penalty shootout against University of Santo Tomas in their Final Four duel.
State U never looked back as it took the title over the then-defending champions Far Eastern University, cementing its 19th championship — the second-most in UAAP Men’s Football history.
But the gold, however, was not just for pride and records for Angelo. It was the highest honor they could give to their comrade Yoro Sangare, who passed away hours before the start of their final game back in Season 85.
“Siyempre the season before [Season 86], medyo [down kasi] ‘di ka nakasama sa Final Four tapos we lost a teammate pa,” said Pagdanganan. “To leave with a championship, sobrang saya ko noon ‘tsaka hopefully nakapag-iwan siya ng legacy sa mga mas bata [na players].”
After finishing his studies in UP Diliman, Angelo tested the waters by exploring work opportunities outside the field. Until he was called up by the team’s S&C trainer, Coach Genaro “G” Sabile, to undertake a mentorship program just in time before Season 87 rolled around.
Angelo found his place back home.
“Feeling ko this is where my heart belongs: sa football.”
And once again, the Fighting Maroons relished his return by giving him a place in their family.
Stronger than before
From manning the backrow to supporting from the bench, Angelo’s job is half the battle that happens on the playing field.
Together with Coach G, the S&C coaches monitor the players’ performances during training, improving their physique and preparing drills to condition their bodies depending on the goal of their practice sessions.
On gamedays, they are in charge of pre-game screenings, evaluating players’ fitness to play, warming up players before they get deployed and conducting treatments for rehabilitating injured players.
These works behind the scenes have translated greatly for the crew this Season 88, as it finished the eliminations as the top seed and fielded all 23 players on its roster. This includes national team player Josh Meriño, who was sidelined for the majority of the season with a torn hamstring.
The team breached through the Finals stage once more with full force, as Bation copped a dramatic finish in its semifinal showdown against De La Salle University.
Heading into the Final against FEU once more, not only did Angelo see the players’ growth physically but also mentally, highlighting his juniors during his time playing alongside them.
“Ngayon ‘yong experience ng mga players, since naka ilang season na sila — ‘yan sila Florenz [Tacardon at] sila Charles [Lobitaña] — madadala nila ‘yong experiences na ‘yon to teach the younger batches,” he said.
He also commended the essence of the older players, such as Bation and Gonzalez, stepping up and taking on the role as the new kuyas of the team. “Nakakatuwa rin makita ‘yong mga [dating] freshies na, at least, slowly nag-take on ng leadership and taking on responsibilities doon sa team. Nakaka-proud lang din ‘yon na makita sa kanila.”
While experience had been added to strengthen the team, Angelo was glad to see old traditions from the team’s culture being passed down to the younger batch of Fighting Maroons.
“‘Yong number one ro’n is never nawala ‘yong concept ng saluhan. Isa ‘yon sa mga bagay na parang kahit sa mga seniors ko ‘yon ‘yong tinuro sa amin.”
Saluhan refers to the team’s philosophy of covering each other’s backs and supporting each other to become the best version of themselves. Angelo explains that this applies well beyond the field, cultivating a bond of brotherhood knowing that they have someone to lean on when the going gets tough.
Combining these lessons with their culture, Angelo believes the team is becoming better equipped as they head into a title run this season. Through the highs of winning and the stings of letting it slip away, they have gained the essentials to reaching their ultimate goal.
Meanwhile, when asked about his personal return to the playing field, his response was simple: “Let’s see.”
But then, all eyes are fixed on accomplishing the last task of the season, with Pagdanganan and the squad assuring an all-out performance to claim the title with the boost from their twelfth man: the UP community.
“Expect that the boys will play their hearts out, make sure iiwan lahat sa field, play together and make sure [there are] no regrets.”
