Hope- filled
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season ended early anew for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, but unlike previous seasons, the exit of the Diliman-based dribblers in Season 79 came in far better circumstances and sprung much hope moving forward.
After two rounds of elimination play, UP finished its campaign with a 5-9 record, joint fifth with the National University Bulldogs.
While the five victories may seem pedestrian relative to the UAAP universe, considering how it has been for the Maroons for the last decade, the win output they had this season is to take positive cue from.
For one it was an improvement on the three-win season they had last year and the best record for them since the 6-8 card they produced in Season 68.
More interestingly, UP could have padded the record some more had they finished better in some games and would have figure prominently in the mix for a Final Four spot.
But more than numbers in the win column, rendering the UP campaign this year a success was the way they performed all season long.
True, compared to the top teams in the league they still surrendered a talent or two, or three, but you hardly noticed that, by and large, as they fought up to the end.
They competed with far better direction and purpose, and credit should go to first-year UP Coach Bo Perasol and his staff as well as graduating players Jett Manuel, Dave Moralde and Henry Asilum who were on top of things as they steered the Maroons ship to the direction of respectability and progress.
With the way they played, they enticed the UP community to follow their journey, whether in the arenas live or on television.
It was definitely far entertaining, exciting and fun to watch them this season because they exuded the aura that with them anything can happen, so you have to stick around and watch. Compare this to seasons past where their games were viewed with reservations by spectators and automatic wins by opposing teams.
Moving ahead, off the kind of season they had, there is a lot to look forward to for fans of the Maroons.
Some key stalwarts of the team will be gone alright but there are still others who will stay to continue the march forward.
Among them is small forward Paul Desiderio, easily the best athlete for UP this season. He may be a bit undersized compared to players playing the same position as he is but he is pure energy and confidence and embodies the “fighting” in the Fighting Maroons.
Another is Javy Gomez de Liaño. He rode the bench for much of the season as a rookie but in the windup showed big potential. He is not very athletic but he has the height and length to be a force for UP down the line.
Also worth mentioning are Noah Webb, Gelo Vito, Jarrell Lim and Kyles Lao who should be stepping up come next season.
Then there is Coach Bo. Some doubted his ability to lead a team like UP early on but as the season progressed he showed he could.
The thing about the former Maroon is he believes in his players even when others seemingly do not. The players sensed it this year and bought into his system, translating into a more fluid relationship that bore much fruit on the floor.
The season might have ended earlier again for UP in Season 79 but definitely there should not be any bowing of heads for the Maroons. It was a season well-fought that gave much hope of better days ahead for the program. Thanks, Maroons! Nowhere to go but UP!