MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday poked fun at the University of the Philippines's (UP) record in collegiate basketball.
During the announcement of the Liberal Party's senatorial line-up, Aquino responded to Senate President Franklin Drilon's earlier statement that UP is the country's best university.
Drilon repeatedly made the remark whenever he announced the name of an LP senatorial bet who came from the premier state university.
"Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi ni Senate President Frank Drilon, UP talaga ang mahusay na eskwelahan," Aquino said in his speech.
"Nakikita natin ang tinuro sa kanilang humility," he added, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The president then joked about the record of the UP Fighting Maroons, the perennial cellar dwellers of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's basketball competition.
"Nakikita po natin ang ebidensya sa UAAP kung saan deka-dekada na lang ipinaglalaban ang pwesto nila," Aquino said.
"Kapag nanalo sa UAAP ang UP, ang kanilang alumni ay talagang nahihimatay," he added.
Aquino is an alumnus of the Ateneo De Manila University while Drilon is a UP graduate.
Drilon noted earlier that the senior men's basketball team of Aquino's alma mater, the five-peat champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, has been suffering losses lately.
"Ang daming talo ng Ateneo ngayon," Drilon said.
In the ongoing 78th season of the UAAP, Ateneo is tied with rival De La Salle with a 4-4 record.
The Maroons, meanwhile, are currently tied with the National Uiversity Bulldogs and the University of the East Red Warriors with a 3-5 record.
While they are still not among the top four teams, the Maroons have surpassed their single victory last season.
UP last won the UAAP basketball championship in 1986.