It has been a month since the UP Men’s Basketball Team (MBT) seized the UAAP Season 87 championship, their second in their last four consecutive finals appearances.
The UP MBT has come a long way from its winless seasons. From being at the bottom of the standings for several seasons straight, UP has now been a title contender ever since the post-pandemic era. After the heartaches of Seasons 85 and 86, the Fighting Maroons have completed their Season 87 redemption run, now with tears of joy and a championship trophy once again.
84: Quenching the drought
Co-Captains Ricci Rivero and Noah Webb
Placement: Champions (vs. Ateneo Blue Eagles)
Coming off a postseason debacle against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in Season 82, UP earns another shot at glory with a third straight Final Four appearance. The team ended the eliminations phase with a 12-2 record after handing the Ateneo Blue Eagles their first loss of the season, denying the defending champions an outright Finals berth.
After dispatching the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in their semifinal bout, the Fighting Maroons rose to the top of the tournament for the first time since 1986. Maroon rookie JD Cagulangan’s iconic dagger three allowed them to conquer their Katipunan rivals once more, sealing Game 3 of the Finals, 72-69.
It was a new era for the Diliman-based squad under the leadership of Coach Goldwin Monteverde and the guidance of former Head Coach Bo Perasol. Malick Diouf clinched the Finals MVP award while Carl Tamayo was named Rookie of the Year. Zavier Lucero and Tamayo were also awarded Mythical Five honors.
85: Title defense short
Captain Brix Ramos
Placement: Runners-up (vs. Ateneo Blue Eagles)
Just five months after Season 84, UP set off to defend their championship, approaching the Final Four with another twice-to-beat advantage, which proved unnecessary as they took down the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the semifinals, 61-69. Once again, UP meets Ateneo for a Battle of Katipunan Finals rematch.
The Maroons drew first blood in the best-of-three championship series but tables quickly turned against them after Lucero’s unfortunate ACL tear in Game 2. The injury led to the former Mythical Five member’s early collegiate career exit, which was ultimately felt on the court.
The Maroons lost both Games 2 and 3, failing to bring a second-straight trophy back home to Diliman and leaving them with the shortest championship reign in UAAP history.
86: Another silver
Captain CJ Cansino
Placement: Runners-up (vs. DLSU Green Archers)
Despite losing key players like Tamayo, James Spencer, Henry Galinato, and Lucero, the UP squad was determined to avenge their Season 85 heartbreak. With new additions like Francis Lopez, Chicco Briones, and a returning CJ Cansino, UP took a historic leap after securing the top seed for the first time in UAAP history with a 12-2 record.
After vanquishing the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a physical semifinal showdown, 57-46, the Maroons were one step away from a fourth title as they clashed with the DLSU Green Archers for the UAAP crown.
Facing former NU Bullpups teammate Kevin Quiambao, the Goldwin Monteverde-coached squad, consisting of Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Reyland Torres, and Terrence Fortea, took Game 1 of the series with a 30-point beatdown against the Green and White. However, it was déjà vu for UP as the Green Archers took the last two matches to hand them back-to-back silver finishes.
Lopez was named Rookie of the Year, while Diouf was awarded Mythical Five honors.
87: Redemption complete
Captain Gerry Abadiano
Placement: Champions
Hungrier than ever, the Maroons were set on putting an end to their bridesmaid finishes and bringing the crown back to Diliman. After overcoming DLSU in the FilOil Preseason Cup and having prized recruits like Jacob Bayla, Gani Stevens, and one-and-done Quentin Millora-Brown, things were looking bright for UP. However, it was a different story for the team in the UAAP eliminations after bowing to the Archers twice and settling for second seed with an 11-3 slate.
Despite the setbacks, UP remained unshaken as they disarmed the UST Growling Tigers, 78-69, in the Final Four to set a grudge match against the reigning champions DLSU for the second time.
After grabbing a 73-65 win in Game 1, the Fighting Maroons fell short of taking it all in Game 2 as the Archers escaped with the slimmest of margins. With everything on the line in Game 3, the leadership and heroics of Cagulangan, Lopez’s 3-point redemption shot, and Millora-Brown’s free throws sealed the championship. After back-to-back heartbreaks in Seasons 85 and 86, UP has finally reached the end of the road to redemption.
Cagulangan was hailed as the Finals MVP and a Mythical Five awardee.
While the collegiate journeys of greats like Cagulangan and Millora-Brown came to a close, UP expects to keep up the fight in Season 88 with familiar faces and fresh talents to join the fray as they defend the title.