A CURSE could be broken or extended today when the Game 2 between the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons and De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers begins at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
During Game 1 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Finals, UP came out ravenous and unmanageable for the DLSU squad, defeating them 73-65 and continuing their streak of Game 1 victory.
Undeniably, the Fighting Maroons have been a force to be reckoned with for years, fielding some of the fiercest and most skilled lineups in UAAP history and throughout the country’s collegiate divisions.
However, despite having reached the tournament’s finals four times in previous seasons, the Diliman-based squad has faced several difficult challenges that appear insurmountable.
A curse to be broken
The squad has been fortunate in Game 1s, with a 4-1 record, winning the last four Game 1s of the best-of-three championship series in spectacular fashion. However, there is a curse associated with it.
UP has lost all four Finals Game 2s. Despite the streak, in Season 84, the squad survived the defeat and won its first championship in 36 years.
It began in Season 81, when the Fighting Maroons were unable to contain the strong roster of the Thirdy Ravena-led Ateneo Blue Eagles, who swept and defeated them in Game 2, 99-81.
After three years, as the COVID-19 cases gradually dwindled, the Diliman squad found themselves in the same situation. Winning Game 1 of the Season 84 Finals, 81-74, but losing Game 2, 66-69.
However, the Fighting Maroons emerged victorious this season, ending their 36-year tournament title drought. They upset the Blue Eagles, led by Ange Kouame, with a 75-68 win in Game 3.
In Season 85, the situation is similar, with UP winning Game 1 72-66 but losing Games 2 and 3 to the same Ateneo team, despite having Season MVP Malick Diouf on their side.
Entered the DLSU-UP era
Following an upsetting season, the Iskos dominated Season 86 last year, driven primarily by retribution. They met the DLSU Green Archers and won Game 1, 97-67.
From what appeared to be a finals best-of-three series in which they would dominate, the Taft-based club turned things around, giving UP a taste of their own medicine, followed by another Game 2 setback, 82-60.
Entering Game 3, where they could have at least won the title, the Fighting Maroons took another step backwards as the Green Archers brought home the title, 73-69.
This marked the end of another devastating season for UP, but it also gave them another reason to stand taller this year. One way to do it is to let go of all the unpleasant days they’ve endured in order to go back on top.
Writing a new fate
Setting aside what some may call a bad history for a much more talented group, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde is eager to move past those nightmares and forge a new future for his team.
“We never dwell naman on the past. Right now, part of the process of winning a championship is winning Game One and we got Game One. So now, we’re gonna prepare for Game Two,” Moteverde said in an interview.
“We’re gonna do our best, lahat ng makakaya namin to get it. And when that game day comes, whatever comes our way, we’re gonna face the challenge there,” he went on to explain.
This afternoon, shortly after the men’s basketball awarding ceremony, the Finals Game 2 between UP and La Salle will begin. At 5:30 PM, supporters will see whether Diliman will be crowned or Taft will be extended.
