In the final set of the ‘Maroon 5’ at the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University crashed the party and claimed the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball championship on Wednesday night.
The five graduating players of the Fighting Maroons — Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felicilda — did not get the storybook ending they had hoped for, finishing their UAAP careers as runners-up.
For head coach Goldwin Monteverde, however, no words were needed.
He saw firsthand that his graduating quintet had given everything, not just in this sudden-death Game 3, but throughout all the years they had been together.
Monteverde has coached the “Maroon 5” since their high school days at National University Nazareth School, forging bonds that no loss, heartbreak, or challenge could ever erase.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“First, of course, ibinigay nila lahat. I’m not even… Hindi ko nakikita for this season alone lang. It’s like I’ve been with them from Season 84 until now. Every practice, every game namin, I can see they really gave their best. Wala ka nang mahihingi pa sa kanila,” said Monteverde.
“Sa akin, I think, in terms of yung klase ng samahan na meron sila, well of course magandang magkasama kayo sa panalo. But then for me, the good test is nagkasama rin kami sa panalo at sa talo and being with them, solid pa rin together.”
Since taking over in Season 84 (2021), Monteverde has led the Fighting Maroons to five straight Finals appearances and two championships — a run that includes Alarcon, Abadiano, and Fortea, who spent their entire collegiate careers with UP.
Torres and Felicilda began with NU in Season 84 but transferred to UP, playing three additional years with the Maroons.
Beyond their accomplishments on the court, what makes Monteverde most proud is how much the quintet has grown alongside him. Abadiano, in fact, had already been with Monteverde during his Adamson High School days before they both moved to NUNS.
“I feel blessed pa rin. Very seldom sa coach to have this opportunity to be with a group of guys na since high school kasama mo. Usually top two kami, although sabi ko nga, syempre ayaw ko naman matalo ngayon. But then nakasama ko na rin sila sa mga panalo, wala na akong hihingin pa eh,” shared Monteverde.
“I guess kung may kasama ka sa mga ganong panahon, sa saya at sa lungkot, talagang mamahalin mo eh.”
#WATCH: Farewell, my sons ✊
UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde pays tribute to his Maroon 5, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Reyland Torres, Terrence Fortea, and Janjan Felicilda 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/MTN5MGoQIl
📹 Lorenzo Del Carmen/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/u6rQRX23Ok
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 17, 2025
