The Dark Horse
UAAP Season 77
Record: 1-13 (7th)
Offense: 62.9 ppg (6th)
Defense: 74.9 ppg (8th)
Rebounds: 35.6 rpg (8th)
Assists: 11.6 apg (8th)
Pomp and Circumstance
Mikee Reyes, Darwish Bederi, COACH Moriah Gingerich, Kyles Lao (out for season due to ACL injury)
Depth Chart
| C | PF | SF | SG | PG |
| Kone, Cheick (1st) | Jeruena, Mark (5th) | Gallarza, JR (5th) | Manuel, Jett (4th) | Asilum, Henry (4th) |
| Vito, Gelo (2nd) | Harris, Paul (3rd) | Jaboneta, Jan Jan (1st) | Moralde, Dave (2nd) | Dario, Diego (2nd) |
| Prado, Jerson (1st) | Amar, Agustini (5th) | Desiderio, Paul (2nd) | Lim, Jarrell (2nd) | |
| Webb, Noah (1st) | Longa, Jose (1st) |
Assessment
The fanbase of the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball team have long been suffering.
When I asked our reporter Max Gana about what it feel like to follow the UPMBT, he just replied a simple answer: “Sanay na kami.”
It’s been 29 years since the Fighting Maroons basketball team took home a UAAP championship. Moreover, they just recently broke their 27 game losing streak a year ago and celebrated the win with a bonfire. However, they are currently riding a six game losing streak.
In an interview with Team Manager Dan Palami last Summer, he told me that bringing in five coaches (Rensy Bajar, Allan Gregorio, Joe Ward, Moriah Gingerich, Poch Juinio), a five-headed beast, is something that is unorthodox, but hopefully works for the Maroons. In addition, he wants to instill a winning culture in UP that is why they entered the FBA just to let the boys know the feeling. [READ: Dan Palami finding hope through change]
Don’t worry Iskos and Iskas ng bayan! The 2015-16 UP Fighting Maroons squad is for real!
First off, the wing position of the team is the deepest amongst all teams in the UAAP right now. The returning Jett Manuel is a great boost for the team, even if Kyles Lao is sidelined with an injury. Dave Moralde, a member of the legendary San Beda Super Six, will surely insert the winning mindset Mr. Palami wants. Finally, former U17 Philippine team member Paul Desiderio is a scoring machine that will lead the team’s bench offense.
The frontline of the Maroons is no pushovers as well. French student-athlete, Cheick Kone is capable of anchoring the defense, as seen during his few games in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup tournament. On offense, his game is more of a post up game that opposing teams will have a hard time defending, due to his sheer size (he is 6’9, 6’10 with shoes on). Moreover, expect a much more leaner (and meaner) Gelo Vito. Vito, compared to his form last year, packed on the muscles and has developed a solid midrange jumper. Finally, the immortal Mark Juruena will don the Maroon jersey for the last time. Max Gana calls him “the most efficient player in the UAAP.” Juruena is a post creator that dishes out well to his teammates from the inside.
The problem, though, will lie at the one spot. Even with Mikee Reyes not being invited back for his fifth year (According to Mr. Palami), the team still lacks the floor general that will give ample touches to the four other guys on the floor. Henry Asilum and Diego Dario are serviceable point guards, but their shoot-first mentality may sometimes have costly consequences. Also, due to their size, they are a liability on defense.
This UP squad can go places if all goes well, but can easily fall to the 7th spot once more if things don’t go as planned.
Best case: 8-6 (Fighting for a Final Four spot with NU and UST)
Worst case: 2-12
| UAAP Season 78 Men’s Basketball Starter Pack |
| Let’s Rebuild Every Year! | Taking Flight for One Last Time |
 |  |
| Hauling the Best of the Class | On the Verge |
 |  |
| Underdogs Once Again | Replicating the House of Chaos |
 |  |
| Kevin and Karim’s One Last Chance | The Dark Horse |
 |  |
| UAAP Season 78 Women’s Basketball Starter Pack |
 |
| The Ultimate UAAP Season 78 Basketball First Round Schedule |
 |
