University of the Philippines rookie forward Josh Coronel finally had a moment to celebrate for himself on Saturday, breaking through with his first official UAAP points as the Fighting Maroons defeated the University of the East, 70-61, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
For the 21-year-old Coronel, the modest total of four points was far more than just numbers on the stat sheet — it was a personal milestone after two ACL injuries that threatened to derail his collegiate career.
“Siyempre happy ako dahil kahit papano naka-shoot ako ng dalawa. First points ko yun sa UAAP. I’m so happy na nabigyan ako ng chance makalaro ngayon habang kalaban ulit yung UE,” Coronel said.
“On the other side, there are still so many things to work on. Alam ko sa sarili ko yung mga lapses ko na kailangan ko pang i-work on. Tatrabahuin ko sila sa practice and sa future games.”
One play in particular stood out for Coronel: a successful lay-up at the 3:11 mark of the second quarter that extended UP’s lead to 37-19.
Once a signature move in his LSGH and Gilas Boys’ days, executing it in the UAAP was both a confidence booster and a reminder of the player he once was.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Yung huli kong layup, napasigaw ako nun eh kasi para sa akin isa yun sa mga strength ko nung when I was still playing in high school tsaka yung mga Gilas days. Nung nagawa ko siya kanina, napasigaw lang ako na kaya ko pala,” he shared.
Coronel credits his faith in God and determination to make up for lost time as driving forces behind his comeback.
He also sees an opportunity to grow by challenging himself in practice against UP’s senior core, the so-called ‘Maroon Five’ — Janjan Felicilda, Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea.
“Siyempre yung faith ko kay God nandiyan palagi through ups and downs. Di ako papabayaan ni God basta mag work hard lang ako and as long as I don’t give up,” he said.
“Icha-challenge ko lang sarili ko sa practice given na swerte ako meron akong five veterans na madami ng experience so competing against them in practice malaking tulong sa akin so I’ll take advantage of that.”
#WATCH: After a two-year wait, Joshua Coronel is glad to finally suit up for UP and score his first UAAP points 🏀✊
📹 Lorenzo del Carmen/Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/mpibnZq7Wz
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 8, 2025
