Being better is not just a mindset… it’s a lifestyle.
Better Basketball founder Patrick Tancioco is out to prove that after launching Archive 87 (Arc87) — a lifestyle brand that not only carries his now-popular Better Basketball merchandise but also exclusive University of the Philippines gear.
According to Tancioco, opening his flagship store on the second floor of the UP Shopping Center inside the UP Diliman campus is his way of reminding everyone that striving to be better should be an everyday pursuit.
“I took the risk because if not now, then when?” said Tancioco.
“It was my good friend Agno Almario, the CEO of CAST LMS, who constantly reminded me to take that leap of faith. Without his push, Arc87 might have just stayed an idea.”
(C) Dwine Dela Cruz
Tancioco partnered with Cedric Niu for this new venture and tapped Abraham Finney Santos to serve as creative director.
As for the name Arc87, Tancioco shared that it serves as his love letter to the Fighting Maroons’ UAAP Season 87 championship campaign, which he described as their toughest yet most rewarding journey.
“That UAAP Season 87 run was filled with blood, sweat, and tears,” the concurrent vice president of Buri Technologies Inc. reflected.
“It was the sweetest championship so far — one that we hope will never be forgotten through Arc87.”
(C) Dwine Dela Cruz
It has been a long journey for Tancioco himself, who worked his way up to become not only the skills development coach of the Fighting Maroons but also a respected basketball trainer in his own right.
A UP Agricultural Engineering graduate, Tancioco left his original field in the mid-2010s to pursue his passion for basketball.
He started small, conducting skills sessions with the likes of Juan Gomez de Liaño, CJ Cansino, Will Gozum, Diego Dario, and Jaggie Gregorio, before officially joining the UP Fighting Maroons in 2019.
He has since helped hone the skills of players such as Camille Clarin, JD Cagulangan, Aaron Black, and L-Jay Gonzales, among many others.
During this time, he also became a licensed Pure Sweat skills coach, even getting the opportunity to work with NBA prospects during the NBA Summer League earlier this year.
“This is just the beginning,” said Tancioco.
“I want Arc87 to remind everyone that no matter where you start, you can always be better — one day at a time.”
