University of the Philippines may have beaten De La Salle University in the Filoil Ecooil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, but the UAAP is a different animal.
For Fighting Maroons team booster Jonvic Remulla, the Green Archers still remain the league’s gold standard, while Kevin Quiambao stands out as the top dog at the collegiate level.
“I think La Salle is the biggest hurdle. Malakas ang La Salle ngayon. Nakita niyo si KQ? Ibang level ang laro niya,” the governor of Cavite told PTV Sports.
“But basketball is a team sport. I think our team is prepared.”
UP’s preparation for UAAP Season 87 is in full throttle right now.
The Fighting Maroons are currently in Serbia for an extensive camp, facing professional and youth clubs until the end of the month.
They will then head to South Korea for another camp against teams from the Korean Basketball League.
All this effort is to keep pace with the defending UAAP champions.
“La Salle is the standard. La Salle is the mountain we must conquer, and I think the boys are ready,” he said, reflecting on La Salle’s win over them in the Season 86 title match.
“Hindi ko minamaliit yung ibang teams, pero sa tingin ko, malakas talaga ang La Salle.”
UP will boast a very deep team in Season 87 in itself.
Key returnees include Francis Lopez, JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, Sean Alter, and Aldous Torculas.
Newcomers such as Gani Stevens, Dikachi Ududo, and Jacob Bayla are also part of the roster.
And the off-season recruitment isn’t over yet, according to Remulla.
“Meron pa. We are not done yet,” he said.
“Maybe one piece away from completing the roster. There are still some surprises.”
