Maroons gain new backer, head overseas for UAAP buildup

MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons received a big boost in their UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball buildup as BPI joined the list of backers for the Diliman-based team earlier this month.

In a contract signing at the UP Executive House attended by representatives from BPI and UP top brass, Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde said that the bank's additional support will be key in their offseason preparations as they seek a return to the basketball UAAP throne.

“[We’re] very thankful. Every time naman na may tutulong satin, syempre blessing satin,” Monteverde told the media.

After finishing runner-up for the last two UAAP seasons, Monteverde’s wards will be heading to two overseas camps, in Serbia and Korea, prior to UAAP Season 87, which will take a big chunk of BPI’s sponsorship of the team.

Knowing that there is pressure to deliver with sponsors growing in number, Monteverde says they stay committed in coming out on top of the competition.

“With the kind of commitment that we have din with the UPMBT to be, as much as possible, every season to be competitive, kailangan natin ng ganong support with the same vision of being No. 1,” said Monteverde.

BPI, for its part, hopes to pay it forward not just to the current roster, but also to the rest of the UP community with its sponsorship.

“BPI is proud to support the UP Fighting Maroons. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire the younger generation to do more and embrace values of excellence and hard work, traits that both UP and BPI hold dear,” said TG Limcaoco, BPI CEO and president.

Apart from their overseas buildups, the Fighting Maroons are also expected to join their usual pre-season tournaments like Pinoy Liga and the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

UP is gunning for their first UAAP title since Season 84.