UP Maroons: From cellar to stellar

It’s good to see the UP community, alumni included, troop in their maroon shirts to cheer their basketball team. For several years after their mid-80s’ reign, the Diliman school was winless. Last year, they registered a win and celebrated with a bonfire. That excitement and support must have sparked hope. The team entered the UAAP season stronger and more determined.

We spoke to two of the most constant starting five members: Jett Manuel, who did 23 points in their last game, and reliable ball handler Diego Dario. 

PHILIPPINE STAR: How did you get started in basketball?

DIEGO DARIO: I started basketball at an early age of five. My dad, who passed away last year, introduced me to the game and from that point on, I started to develop a passion and love for the game. My dad was basically my first ever coach. We did extra hours of training, aside from the training we had in school. 

JETT MANUEL: My story is different from most UAAP stars (not saying that I am one). I wasn’t handed the ball since I was a baby or anything like that. I wasn’t bred to play the game through a basketball family or anything like that. I was a lost kid finding a sport. And one day in Xavier, my barkada just wanted to join the open tryouts for basketball varsity so I decided to join. I played before that though. I used to play with my dad in our park near our house but that was just casually and for fun. Nothing serious. So anyway, yeah, I tried out. Got accepted. That was around 5th or 6th grade. 

What is basketball in your life?

DARIO: Basketball is more than a game for me. My life has revolved around it since the first day I touched a basketball. You never stop learning in basketball and there’s always something to improve on. This not just implies in a basketball context, it also gives the players lessons in life. 

MANUEL: I guess it serves as my passion in my life. Something more than just to keep me busy. It’s something that I have to pour my efforts and dreams into because it’s what I’m very passionate about. Sometimes, it also serves as an outlet. When I feel problematic or stressed, it feels really therapeutic to just go to the gym and shoot by myself. What else … hmm … yeah, I think it’s really something that I love doing and something I can put my efforts and dreams into. 

How did your basketball journey end up with UP Maroons?

DARIO: I started joining basketball camps at the age of five. Then I started playing for my grade school team at eight. From that point, I played basketball almost every day until I tried out for UPIS to play for the UAAP. I was cut on my first year, but I worked hard and finally got in during my second year and luckily, I grew five inches taller than the previous year. A year after, I was invited to play for the national team at age 14. We played in Singapore and won a silver medal. Two years later, I got invited to play again for the country in the FIBA ASIA under 16 in Iran. We won silver again and qualified for the world championships in Dubai the following year. In the same year, I started playing for the Fighting Maroons and kept improving from the first day up to the present. 

MANUEL: I was with varsity from 5th grade. Was cut from SBP Team A during the start of my varsity years but got demoted to second team because I wasn’t good enough. Kept playing, eventually made it to Team A. Second year high school was where it really started for me. I got the opportunity to play Team A in Pasarelle. Made a winning shot on my championship game against Ateneo to win the NCR championship. Still one of my most memorable basketball moments. Lost in the national finals though. Was part of the Tiong Lian team for three years, winning three championships. Got the opportunity to try out for the under 18 RP team but got cut. Graduating I wasn’t highly recruited but landed the opportunity to play for UP. Scarce minutes playing in my freshman year. On my second year, I won the Most Improved Player award. 

What effect did it have on you to play for a cellar team?

DARIO: Well, people always have something to say. Other coaches told me that going to UP was a bad decision. People cheering for us didn’t go beyond our families and friends. But we took it on ourselves to win games and didn’t complain that we didn’t get much support. UP being considered one of the worst teams in the league wasn’t a negative thing for me. I took it as a challenge to further improve individually and as a team as well. Knowing that we haven’t proven anything in the league yet makes me want to work harder than everyone else. I never put in my heart and mind that our team is a losing team. I looked at it as “We’re the worst team in the league, it means that we have the biggest room to improve on.” I played how I knew how to play the game and didn’t let external factors affect the way I play and the way I work hard.

MANUEL: When I was starting out, I wasn’t really affected by it. I was more focused on wanting to play and showing that I can play at this level. Other people were sort of making fun of our record at the time, but I took it as a challenge to show people we were better than that. I performed mediocre during my first season. Didn’t really get to play much and it was honestly frustrating. 

 What brought about the improved performance of the team this UAAP season?

DARIO: No secret. Hard work brought us here. And I think hard work will bring us to where we want to be. And, of course, with the help of the management and the alumni. How they recruited top high school players, how they put up a good coaching staff, and for putting up a selfless bunch of players who want to win.

MANUEL: I think it’s a combination of things. New management, new coaching staff, and, most importantly, the new attitude of players. We were all willing to give up our personal glory to benefit the goal of the team. And I think it is rooted from how we were managed from the beginning and how we were coached.

How do you balance basketball and studies?

DARIO: To be honest, balancing sports and academics is one of the hardest parts of being a student athlete. For me, it’s just about knowing what’s important and setting your priorities. Especially studying in the most prestigious university in the Philippines, you will have to sacrifice a lot of things if you really want to excel in both aspects. 

MANUEL: To be honest, it’s really hard. Being an engineering student is no joke, especially at the University of the Philippines. But the most I can do is make the most of the time that I have left. Thinking about it, we do have time to spare, but because of how hard we train and prepare, and how hard I need to study, that’s when it gets difficult. I’m still learning how to manage my time better. 

What role does fitness play in high-level basketball? What is your routine like?

DARIO: As in any sport, conditioning is very important in high-level basketball. In order for us to perform at a high level every day, whether in practice or in games, we need to have the best conditioning and be in tip-top shape. Conditioning is what you will lean on in performing at a high level. Without the proper conditioning, you won’t be able to do your skills and what you want to do inside the court. I play basketball and on court drills six times a week and I do conditioning and strengthening three to four times. Rest is also very important. I try my best to have at least eight hours of sleep every night.

MANUEL: I think conditioning is what separates good players from great players. If two players have the same skill level, but one is more conditioned, the more conditioned will dominate the game for a longer period of time. Physical conditioning dictates how much of a player’s potential one can bring out.  I do a lot of extra work in the gym. My gym is close to my home and it also has a basketball court there for members so I make the most use of that, too! I try to get extra shots in every day, aside from practice, and I also try to lift at least three times a week to maintain my strength.

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.