JOB FINISHED for the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons as they complete their redemption tour after winning the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament championship.
No more runner-up finish for the Diliman-based squad as they were crowned champions after defeating the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in a nail-biting UAAP Finals Game 3, 66-62, on Sunday.
In front of a record-breaking 25,248 people at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, UP won their second title in four seasons, ending a 36-year drought that began in Season 84 (2022).
However, the Green Archers refused to give up the title easily, fighting valiantly and bringing the game to the wire. However, the Fighting Maroons may have just had all of the answers they needed.
Wire-to-wire basketball
UP and DLSU’s intensity was evident right from the start, with an action-packed welcome to its fans, in which Francis Lopez and Mike Phillips battled it out for a 21-all tie at the end of the first quarter.
The Fighting Maroons stepped up in the second quarter, as outgoing floor general JD Cagulangan took matters into his own hands, leading their attack to a 42-36 halftime advantage despite tight defense.
If there is a squad that has mastered successful second-half runs, UP should be mentioned. With 5:00 minutes remaining, the Diliman team jumped up by 15 points after a close game.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
DLSU, on the other hand, cut it to six, with Joshua David, CJ Austria, and Lian Ramiro hitting key three-pointers of their own for the Taft-represent squad, who trailed 50-56 at the end of the third quarter.
The Green Archers did not stop, as back-to-back UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao opened the fourth and final quarter with two consecutive three-pointers, tying the game at 56 with 9:15 minutes remaining and capping a 16-2 rally.
Moments later, Cagulangan broke the deadlock at 58 with another clutch three-pointer, returning the lead to UP. Ramiro, on the other side, went aggressively to the hoop for a layup, 60-61.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Carrying the horrors of Game 2, missing four consecutive free throws and fumbling important possessions, Lopez buried a dagger three with 1:12 remaining, giving the Fighting Maroons a 64-60 edge.
EJ Gollena got an open layup with less than 50 seconds left after a full court press. A few possessions later, Quentin Millora-Brown found himself open and fouled by Phillips, resulting in two free throws to seal the game at 66-62.
A brewing dynasty?
With a dream of creating a dynasty for their beloved State U after years of darkness, head coach Goldwin Monteverde was beaming with joy as they completed a season that appeared to be a hard challenge at first.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“I want to thank God for this one. Yung preparation ang pinaka importante sa amin. Siyempre, yung sakit ng two years, ginawa naming motivation. No matter how hard it is to prepare, nilaban namin,” said Monteverde.
“It was tough, especially with a team like La Salle. They have a strong program. Nung natalo kami nung elimination, we needed to take away the doubt. Yung belief namin sa sarili namin, binalik namin,” he added.
Aside from Monteverde, his dependable guard, Cagulangan, had a memorable Finals series against his former team, averaging 13.66 points, 4.33 rebounds, and 4.66 assists while winning the Finals MVP award.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
“First of all, gusto ko magpasalamat sa Diyos. Hindi niya kami pinabayaan. Madami kaming ups and downs at ginuide niya kami ng maayos,” said Cagulangan, the man behind UP’s first-ever title in 36 years.
“Gusto ko magpasalamat kay Coach Gold at sa buong coaching staff dahil sa tiwala na binigay nila sa amin. At sa mga teammates ko, salamat sa inyo pare. Ang dami nating pinagdaanan,” he went on to say.
Phillips led the Green Archers with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Quiambao, who may have played his final game for DLSU, scored 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting while missing his playmaking abilities, recording 0 assists.
The DLSU Green Archers will undoubtedly regroup and return next season with a more formidable squad, led by highly touted recruits Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo.
Everyone may agree that the UP Fighting Maroons should celebrate this one first and foremost. After all, the Diliman squad was able to give a proper send off to Cagulangan, a player whose legacy will live on.
