Maroons: A dynasty rising

MANILA, Philippines — For two straight seasons, the University of the Philippines was in a loop of near hits and almost-but-not-quite moments. The Maroons kept coming back to the starting line and around the desired destination like a UP Ikot Jeepney tirelessly revolving around the Sunken Garden, draped by Acacia trees as old as time.

It was even worse eons before as the country’s national university struggled to traverse the collegiate sports jungle like a lost journeyman.

On a breezy Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, UP solved the puzzle and primed up to erect its own dynasty – at the expense of no less than champion and powerhouse La Salle.

UP snapped a 36-year drought in 2022 then, after settling for runner-up finishes the next two seasons, found its way back to the top.

A tale of night and day it was for Diliman and it took an army of protagonists to make it happen led by JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, Quentin Millora-Brown and skipper Gerry Abadiano.

“Trinabaho ng mga bata ito from the start of the season pa lang, after namin matalo last year. Araw-araw trinabaho nila. They worked hard for it,” said coach Goldwin Monteverde.

Under Monteverde’s watch, UP has yet to miss the finals – and it started with Cagulangan’s heroics in Season 84.

A former La Sallian, Cagulangan turned into a full-blooded Maroon upon his transfer and became a legend in the Diliman annals behind his game-winning triple in Game 3 against Ateneo for UP’s first title since 1986.

His swan song was punctuated by a Finals MVP citation in Season 87 as UP dethroned La Salle, 66-62.

It’s about paying back the trust for Cagulangan,

Meanwhile, it’s more than just a championship for one-and-done player Millora-Brown, who dedicated his game-sealing free throws in the last 11 seconds to his late grandfather, a bona fide Maroon before moving to the United States.

“Being able to come in and hit two clutch free throws at the end, was a great nod to my lolo. I’m just so happy. Choosing UP was an easy choice. Coming here, I just had an instant connection with the guys – that love for UP and for basketball,” Millora-Brown smiled, who even missed UP’s match versus La Salle in the second round last month to mourn his grandfather’s passing in the US.

Then there’s Lopez, who vindicated himself for a blunder of four straight missed free throws and a turnover in Game 2 with a booming triple to ice it for UP in the decider.

“They still trusted me. It was just really a surreal moment. They kept on believing in me. They’re still there for me and we were able to conquer it this time. I’m just really happy that we got this win, and I can finally say that I’m officially a champion,” Lopez beamed.

It took a bevy of heroes and a winding journey from the years of agony, of struggle and adversity, but the Maroons did it. They’re the champions of the UAAP once more with a pretty chance to establish a dynasty of their own.