Played their last game on Sunday against the University of the East Red Warriors, the Maroons ended their season with a 5-9 record for a share of fifth spot with the National University Bulldogs.
The five wins were the highest for the Diliman-based team since Season 68 of the UAAP when they finished their campaign with a 6-8 card.
While they failed to advance to the next round anew, graduating members of the UP men’s basketball team said that all told, as the popular adage goes, it was more of the journey for them not the destination.
“If someone told me at the start of the season that UP would have five wins to end the season, go 4-3 in the second round and have a realistic shot at a Final Four appearance I would have looked at him and laughed,” said Jett Manuel following their game against UE where they lost, 80-67.
“Going through five years of the program that was very rough and saw us endure winless seasons was hard. So this season really meant a lot to me. We came together when people least expected it. We came into the season not sure of each other but I’m happy that we ended it being like a family,” said the Civil Engineering major who played out his UAAP eligibility this season.
Playing under first-year UP Coach Bo Perasol made a whole lot of difference, said Manuel.
“Definitely we came in this season to start a winning culture. We have been telling people that it’s a process and we are going to win. And I think we were able to achieve that this season under Coach Bo,” he said.
“Coach Bo is a mental coach. He pays a lot of attention to details that I and my teammates didn’t see before. He really teaches the players. It’s like building blocks under him and it has worked,” Manuel added.
And being part of the laying of foundation of change in UP basketball is something that another graduating player, Henry Asilum, takes pride in.
“I’m happy to see that change happened in my final year. We have lost at lot of games in my years here but five wins this season speak a lot of the efforts of the team and its mind-set moving forward,” the guard said.
Having experienced a resurgence, the challenge now for the Maroons is building on it, something that the departing players are confident about.
“Things are looking bright for the team with some players still young who can be a force down the line. I just hope more leaders come out from the group and take charge. After experiencing a resurgence, I hope players get attracted to the UP program and play for the team. I’m looking forward to watching the Maroons play in the Final Four in the near future,” Manuel said.