Lacson: Second best is more than good enough

MORE than ten years ago, when I was still in University of the Philippines (UP) taking up Broadcast Communication, we were required to watch at least two UAAP basketball games for our PE class.

Back then, it was a running joke in the UP community that the basketball team joins the UAAP so that the UP Pep Squad (who were the ones winning back to back championships at that time) can join in the annual cheer dance Competition as well.

Watching the men’s basketball team those years was certainly more on the compelling task for us students rather than a voluntary act of support for our university.

The times have changed indeed. Who would have thought that the UP Men’s Basketball Team will land in the UAAP finals against the Ateneo de Manila University, giving them a good fight for the championship?

Yes, the whole UP community (and the entire universe) prayed for the Season ‘81 title, which has eluded the UP Team for the last 32 years.

Thanks to the dream team led by Paul Desiderio, it was a good showdown—and the fighting Maroons never backed down. However, as in any other contest or game, one shall prevail, and the other shall falter. In this case, the Maroons fell short and bowed down to the Eagles, the team which possesses an extensive championship experience and a very competitive pool of players.

In spite of the loss, we have to give our full applause and support to our basketball team for reaching this milestone. I know it can get frustrating knowing that they were inches away from the title, but as the saying goes, they did their best, and sadly it was not good enough, at least to bring home the Season ‘81 Championship.

But ask anyone in the UP community whether still in school or alumni people like me, being second best is not only good enough to bring glory to our Alma Mater, but it is something that gives us pride and honor to truly call ourselves “iskolars ng bayan.”

As a UP graduate, I felt I had this once-in-a-lifetime chance to be ecstatic and shout to the world that I am indeed a proud alumna of the most prestigious university in the country.

This accomplishment is something which tells the whole world that we UP students are not just academic people who love to study, get good grades, and graduate with honors. But we are also people who love sports, who enjoy the thrills of the outdoors and the adventures outside the classroom, and yes, we are normal people who love the sport of basketball.

We maybe stereotyped as geeks or nerds, but at least now we can proudly claim that we also excel in the field of sports.

This is not the end for the UP Men’s Basketball Team. In fact, this is just the beginning of what we can consider as the comeback of the glorious days of UP in the UAAP. Watch out for the UPMBT next year. We are really in it to win it. Hashtag AtinSeason82!

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph