University of the Philippines is set to face off against some of the top basketball teams from Chinese Taipei and Thailand just two weeks ahead of its campaign in UAAP Season 87. The team is currently in Keelung City, competing in the 2024 Interleague Play from August 24 to 31 at the Keelung Gymnasium.
After consecutive runner-up finishes in the past two UAAP seasons, UP is determined to finally secure the championship title this year.
Leading the charge for the Fighting Maroons are seniors JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, and Season 86 Rookie of the Year Francis Lopez.
The trio is joined by newcomers, including Filipino-American players Quentin Millora-Brown, Gani Stevens, and Jacob Bayla, as well as Nigerian student-athlete Dikachi Udodo.
“We are aware of the expectations, siyempre, and we welcome them naman, pero tayo naman, ever since, ang focus natin is getting better each game,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Before tipping off UAAP Season 87 on September 7 at the Araneta Coliseum, the Fighting Maroons will first test their skills against a range of formidable opponents in the single-round robin tournament organized by the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association.
The competition includes Thailand’s Bangkok University and several teams from Chinese Taipei, such as the U22 Elite Team, Asian University Basketball Championship Representative Team, Bank of Taiwan, Changhua BLL, Taiwan Beer, and the TPBL team.
This tournament in Keelung marks the Fighting Maroons’ third overseas trip in their preseason preparation, following intensive training camps in Serbia and Korea.
UP is coming off a historic win in Season 84, where they clinched their first UAAP championship in 36 years.
However, they fell just short in the subsequent two seasons, finishing as runners-up.
With their preseason schedule wrapping up on August 31, the Fighting Maroons aim to return home well-prepared and battle-tested, ready to reclaim the top spot in UAAP men’s basketball.
