An exceptionally rabid University of the Philippines crowd was present to back up the Fighting Maroons in their game against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, Sunday evening at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Fans clad in maroon celebrated every shot, rebound, and possession. Consequently, they also never failed to express their dismay each time there is a referee’s call they don’t agree with.
Although UP bowed to Adamson, 86-70, head coach Bo Perasol expressed his admiration to the supporters that trooped to the venue.
“I welcome [the support] in the sense that they are into it. They care, they are passionate about winning. Kasi ang susunod diyan, magku-kumento and all of that, and that’s a positive side in a community that cares,” the second year mentor shared.
“It gives pressure to the team to deliver. Hindi passive. Because if you’re passive, the player may think that it’s just okay. It’s not okay. You’re in a competition, you’re supposed to win.”
Interestingly, due to the intense match that ensued and the fans’ disagreement with the calls of the referees, a UP fan had to be escorted out of the coliseum during the third quarter after throwing a crumpled stat sheet on the court.
The fan later apologized and explained that he was just fed up with the fouls that were called against the team he adores.
When Perasol was informed of the incident, he took it lightly and viewed it as a welcome support for the squad.
“Papel lang, susmaryosep,” Perasol joked.
Turning serious, he said, “Hindi ko napansin pero I think that’s on a positive note for us because they may want to watch us again on Wednesday or in our last game, because they want to see kung anong nangyari. Because they have invested something, their emotions are into it. Importante na, I’m one with the team, hindi yung ‘Wala namang kwenta ‘yung team na ‘yan eh.'”
UP has been at the bottom of the league for a very long time, experiencing winless seasons, thrice of which coming in the last decade.
But since their resurgence last year, the community’s basketball consciousness was brought to life. More and more fans have been expressing their support online and have been trooping to the venues since then.
“Yun ang sinasabi nating proseso of the community being part of the team, and the team being part of the community because you cannot veer away from each other,” Perasol added.
“Hindi mo mahiwalay ‘yung bawat isa. And if you are going to be comparing all the successful programs, ganoon lagi – Ateneo, La Salle, FEU, UST, ‘di ba?”
He then referred to current winless UST Growling Tigers and compared them with UP’s history with 0-14 seasons.
“Kaya ngayon, sa UST, galit sila. Eh mas masagwa noong panahon ng UP, kasi walang galit eh,” he said with a laugh.
“Noong hindi kami nananalo, walang nagagalit. At least ngayon, sa UST, nakikita mo, nagagalit sila, kasi they know that they have a history of winning.”
Due to the Fighting Maroons’ loss today, they were sent to a very tough route to reach the Final Four. With a difficult schedule against spotless Ateneo Blue Eagles and gritty NU Bulldogs, an involved crowd like today’s can probably provide an emotional lift for the Fighting Maroons.
“This is something really new, ang ganda. Kaya nga sabi ko, kahit magalit na sila, okay lang ‘yan. In a way, they are now involved.”
