Before the University of the Philippines could even begin its title defense in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Fighting Maroons already faced a daunting challenge: the departure of several key players who fueled their Season 87 championship run.
JD Cagulangan and Quentin Millora-Brown have exhausted their eligibility with UP, while Francis Lopez took his talents abroad as an Asian import to Japan.
Meanwhile, Aldous Torculas transferred to the NCAA, joining San Beda University.
That leaves the Fighting Maroons’ core — dubbed the “Maroon 5” of Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres — to carry the load in their quest for a historic back-to-back title run, something the program has never accomplished before.
“Sinasabi nga ni Coach Gold, Season 88 wala pa champion sa lahat ng teams. Reset lahat kumbaga. So, kailangan namin paghirapan kunin yun,” said Alarcon during the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Basketball Press Conference on Monday at the Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant in San Juan.
“And I know naman na ibang teams and I know din sa ibang players na graduating gusto nila mag-exit na may championship. So, kailangan na mag-defend talaga ng maayos and kukunin yung championship.”
Now taking on a bigger offensive and leadership role for the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored squad, Alarcon admitted to feeling the weight of expectation. Still, he believes the pressure can be turned into motivation as UP marches through a tough Season 88 field that includes archrival La Salle, perennial contender and season host UST, as well as dark horses Adamson, NU, and Ateneo.
(C) Keith Magcaling/UPMBT
“I mean, always naman may pressure sa part namin ‘eh. Every season may pressure talaga. At least alam ko sarili ko na pag may pressure, hindi ako pwede mag-relax,” the 23-year-old guard shared.
“Hindi ako pwede maging complacent. Para sa akin, parang yung pressure nung pagkawala nila JD, nagpu-push akin [para] mag-defend ng championship namin,” he added.
UP lead assistant coach Christian Luanzon echoed Alarcon’s sentiments, admitting that the departure of “big names” like Millora-Brown and company created a significant void in the team’s preseason preparations, which included stints in local leagues and overseas camps in Serbia, Japan, and Korea.
Still, Luanzon emphasized Monteverde’s advice: the Fighting Maroons should not force themselves to replace anyone directly but instead embrace their own roles.
“What coach Gold is reminding them is to not try hard to fill in those shoes because each player here was handpicked from player No.1 to player No.16 — bawat isa diyan importante. Point is, every player presents a new role and a unique talent sa team, it’s just a matter of how we blend as a team as we start the season itong 88,” said Luanzon.
With reinforcements like rookie center Migs Palanca, transferee and Season 86 MVP runner-up Noy Remogat, foreign student-athlete Francis Nnoruka, and the wing duo of Jacob Bayla and Gani Stevens, the Fighting Maroons remain formidable contenders.
UP begins its title defense against UST to close out the league’s opening weekend on Sunday, September 21, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
