‘Extra motivated’ UP ready for redemption in UAAP Season 87

MANILA, Philippines – Look out for an even more pumped up UP Fighting Maroons squad when the UAAP men’s basketball tournament kicks off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 7.

Raring to get back on top after finishing second the past two seasons, the Fighting Maroons have added motivation this year as the state university hosts the much-awaited Season 87. 

“Extra motivation. It’s always an honor for the school anytime they would host,” UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon told Rappler during the league’s press conference.

“With the support of the UP community, host or not, it’s just overwhelming.”

“I’m sure this year, [the support] will be doubled since we’re the hosts,” he added.

Despite losing former MVP Malick Diouf and star guard CJ Cansino, the Fighting Maroons enter the new season with a relatively stacked roster, bannered by veteran guards JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, and Gerry Abadiano, as well as Season 86 Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez. 

UP will also parade its prized recruits, namely one-and-done big man Quentin Millora-Brown, former Gilas Boys standout Jacob Bayla, ex-UE Red Warriors center Gani Stevens, and new foreign student-athlete Dikachi Ududo, who is expected to fill the void left by Diouf. 

“With the exit of guys like CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf, of course there are big shoes to fill, but at the same time, collectively, they will help the team a lot, specifically Quentin Millora-Brown, Gani Stevens, and Dikachi Ududo,” said Luanzon.

The Fighting Maroons had a successful preseason campaign as they captured the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup title back in June.

In that thrilling championship game, UP stormed back from a 20-point deficit to exact revenge on its UAAP finals tormentor La Salle Green Archers with a 69-66 victory. 

The Fighting Maroons also had overseas training camps in Serbia, Korea, and most recently in Taiwan last August, where they ruled the 2024 Interleague Play with an undefeated 7-0 record.

“It’s huge that we had a full offseason from last year. Even with the new additions, the team had the time to practice and play games abroad,” said Luanzon.

Deemed one of the teams to beat, along with the Kevin Quiambao-led La Salle, UP opens its redemption bid against the new-look Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday at 6:30 pm. – Rappler.com