A team usually takes on the personality of their coach.
With the stern, even-keeled Jerry Yee heading the program, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons have developed a razor-sharp, focused approach to each game — and every point. 
This was evident in how the Lady Maroons celebrated after every point in past seasons: usually with a short huddle in the middle of their court accompanied by hushed high-fives.
In Season 79, however, the Lady Maroons have adapted a more active ritual.
After picking up a point, the players would take their own paths running around the court while slapping each others’ hands. The Lady Maroons have begun calling the celebration “UP Ikot/UP Toki” after the jeeps that make their routes inside the UP Diliman campus.
According to the players, they copied it off how the Japanese players celebrated while they were in the country last month. Apparently, the noise the Japanese players made got on their nerves so much that they decided if they couldn’t beat them, they would much rather join them.
“Nakuha namin ‘yun sa Japan. Sabi namin effective naman. Kasi kapag down kami and we get a point, ‘yung ganoong pag-iingay namin nakaka-boost ng energy at morale,” said UP’s leading scorer Diana Carlos.
It has been so effective that UP now hold a UAAP best 4-0 record. And if it works, Yee is alright with it.
“Kasi hindi effective sa amin ‘yung kapag papalo kami, wala kaming reaction so kung saan effective, ‘yun ‘yung gusto ni coach [Jerry Yee],” added Carlos.
With wins against the University of Santo Tomas and defending champions De La Salle University, the Lady Maroons can finish the first round undefeated for the first time since the UAAP kept records of team slates.
UP Ikot jeeps have taken the country’s future leaders and luminaries around the hollowed campus for decades. The “UP Ikot” may now bring the Lady Maroons to an elusive title.
