Preparation for a new UAAP season begins as soon as the previous one ends. For a team determined to reclaim the championship after falling short last year, the University of the Philippines has lined up several tournaments ahead of UAAP Season 89, with its toughest test still to come.
The Fighting Maroons will go head-to-head with some of Asia’s top university teams in the 2nd Asian University Basketball League Championship from August 2 to 9, just a month before the new UAAP season tips off.
UP has been drawn into Group B alongside Hakuoh University of Japan and Korea University. The top two teams from each of the tournament’s four groups will advance to the knockout stage. All games will be held at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.
“With the AUBL, I think it’s going to be a good process for us to even grow stronger as a team facing this type of competition, definitely with challenges. So, it’s going to be a good experience for us,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde during the team’s media day for the pan-regional tournament on Monday.
The 12-team field also features representatives from host China, Chinese Taipei, Mongolia, and Australia.
For Monteverde, competing against international opposition provides the ideal opportunity to test the Fighting Maroons’ mental toughness and adaptability.
“Maganda in terms of yung challenged ka. Siyempre, different style of play, being able to adjust sa ganon at a short period of time, which is sometimes needed din pag-abot natin ng UAAP season this year,” said the decorated tactician.
“I guess the trip itself, magkakasama kami in another country, siyempre iba yung sa ibang lugar kayo. We’ll be together everyday, talk about things, yung mga dapat gawin, and bukod doon, yung games pa namin. From what I saw, I think yung bracket namin, malakas yung bracket namin. So, the challenge is there. Yung necessity to play as a team.”
Noy Remogat, Veejay Pre, Jacob Bayla, Gani Stevens, Francis Nnoruka, and Dieonte Miles are expected to spearhead the Fighting Maroons’ campaign in China.
They will be joined by Rainer Maga, Arvie Poyos, James Payosing, Elliot Dimaculangan, Migs Yñiguez, Joshua Coronel, Sean Alter, LA Andres, Migs Palanca, Russell Ogana, Chicco Briones, Sean Franco, and Joaquin Tovera to complete UP’s roster for the AUBL Championship.
