As the University of the Philippines enters a new chapter in its quest for basketball glory, Terrence Fortea is more than ready to take the wheel.
No longer just a steady presence in the Fighting Maroons’ backcourt, Fortea now has the task of steering the ship in UAAP Season 88.
He will carry the torch left by former Finals MVP JD Cagulangan — the same man who delivered the iconic, drought-breaking championship shot in Season 84 and capped his collegiate career with another title in Season 87.
With Cagulangan now taking his talents to Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League, the responsibility of leading UP’s charge has shifted to familiar names like Fortea, Harold Alarcon, and Gerry Abadiano — players who know the system, the pressure, and the expectations that come with wearing maroon.
For Fortea, however, it’s about more than just filling shoes — it’s about extending a legacy.
“Ganon naman talaga yung culture ng UP ‘eh, hawaan lang kami. Nung nakasama ko si JD, lino-look up ko siya at ganon din yung iba. Masaya kami sa iniwan ni JD at inspiration talaga for us,” Fortea told Tiebreaker Times after UP’s 99-106 loss to perennial rival De La Salle University in the Playtime Cares 18th Filoil Preseason Cup, Saturday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Fortea is approaching his final playing year with a sense of purpose, aiming to leave behind something just as meaningful for his teammates — especially fellow seniors Alarcon, Abadiano, and Reyland Torres — as Cagulangan left for him.
“Yung naiwan ni JD ay yung legacy na naiwan niya. Hindi na mawawala sa UP ‘yon. Pero it’s a big challenge for us, lalo na sa aming mga guards. Alam naman natin yung kakayahan ni JD [at] kung ano maprovide niya as a floor general. Malayo pa yung season at marami pang improvement para sa guards para mapunan yung naiwan ni JD,” he added.
While UP still boasts a strong guard rotation, Fortea has quietly emerged as a frontrunner to inherit Cagulangan’s role as the Maroons’ on-court general. In the first three games of the Filoil preseason tourney, he’s averaged 12 points, 2.5 rebounds, and two assists across nearly 22 minutes per contest.
His breakout performance, however, came against La Salle, where he tallied 17 points on a scorching 5-of-7 clip from deep — a clear signal that he’s ready to step up when it counts.
But Fortea’s mindset remains anchored on team development rather than individual accolades. He knows the road to another championship isn’t just about finding a new floor leader — it’s about confronting their flaws and growing together.
“Actually hindi naman about sa akin ito ‘eh, about ito sa team. Siguro kailangan namin panoorin yung game [kasi] sobrang dami ng lapses. Pero sabi nga ni coach, hindi naman ito yung unang beses na nakalaban namin yung La Salle and other elite teams. Siguro for us, kailangan namin malaman yung lapses namin,” the 23-year-old scorer shared.
“Sabi nga namin, masaya kami na ganito yung sitwasyon kasi nakita namin yung mali at yung mga lapses namin. Siguro, hindi dapat namin ito palagpasin lang. Hindi kami masaya dahil natalo, pero masaya kami sa learnings na nakuha namin.”
