For the first time in a long while, the University of the Philippines are still in contention this late in the season.
With a 4-8 win-loss record, the Fighting Maroons are still fighting for a playoff berth in the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball Tournament, with 5-5, fourth-running Adamson University well within reach.
Expected to take a step forward under first year head coach Bo Perasol, UP have still surprised everyone — seizing a share of fifth-place after a dozen games in the tournament. Everyone including team captain Jett Manuel, who said, “This is the first time in my career that, at this point in the season, I’m still vying for the Final Four.”
The graduating guard is making the most of this unprecedented opportunity. Following a 19-point, five-rebound, two-assist, and two-steal performance in their win against National University — UP’s first against the Bulldogs in the Altamirano-era — last Wednesday, he spiked his already career-best averages to 15.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
He showed up especially when UP needed him the most, making good on all six of his free throws in the last five minutes to hold off the rallying Bulldogs and preserve the 71-66 win.
Having led the Maroons to four wins in a season for the first time in a decade, Manuel was recognized as the ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week for October 24 to 30. Since the revival of the weekly citation in 2005, this is the first time the Player of the Week hails from UP.
For the 23-year-old, however, he and State U aren’t done making history just yet – especially with assignments against the bottom two teams remaining in their schedule. “We’re grateful right now for the (fourth) win, but me, medyo selfish, I want to win more,” he expressed.
He then continued, “You know, these opportunities don’t come often, especially for UP. So I always tell the team coming into games na I was us to win so bad.”
And so, Perasol and the rest of UP remain determined to follow their leader into battle – the very last of his collegiate career. “Ga-graduate na rin si Jett. At least, alam niyang hanggang sa huling pagkakataon, meron kaming chance,” the coach said.
He also added, “I think we’re going to fight for that chance. I think we’re going to embrace that opportunity.”
He bested the following players for this week’s crown:
Ben Mbala (DLSU Green Archers)
Javi Gomez de Liano (UP Fighting Maroons)
