OH YES, the Fighting Maroons are coming out strong after winning their fourth straight victory, now at a 4-1 standing as the UAAP Season 84 began this March. At the second spot after the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the UP Men's Basketball Team is giving us the thrill and pride that we so crave and long for. Thanks to the "hungry", talented, and young line up of the UP MBT and the new head coach Goldwyn Monteverde.
I can still remember the few times I was able to watch the live basketball games as part of our PE classes and I remember during the years that I was still studying at UP, the team was barely making a win. They were at the bottom of the team rankings, and we would often joke that the purpose of the basketball team is for UP to have an entry in the Cheerdancing Competition which we dominated during those years.
I am pretty sure my fellow "iskolars" are equally elated as I am, since this consistent performance being displayed by the Maroons is something that we can call as "one for the books." I would like to quote PhilStar Sports Columnist Rick Olivares:
"Despite losing Kobe Paras, Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño, Bright Akhuetie, JD Tungcab, Jun Manzo, Jerson Prado, and David Murrell, Monteverde has a pool of talent to immediately compete and stay competitive for years to come. They have veterans returning for one last go-around in Ricci Rivero, JBoy Gob and Noah Webb. They also have James Earl Spencer who showed tremendous improvement during UAAP Season 82. They will definitely be in the fight for this year’s championship. Anything less than a Final Four slot will be a disappointment."
I am looking forward to the team's future wins and hopefully, the Olivares forecast will come true. Praying and cheering for the UP MBT to reach the Championship, and ultimately, winning the Season 84 Men's Basketball Team Category! Go UP! Go Figthing Maroons!