The heavy burden of back-to-back losses for University of the Philippines was further compounded by the passing of Fighting Maroons’ pillar Ricky Dandan last Wednesday afternoon, November 13, at the age of 62.
Although his time at UP was brief and marked by challenges, Dandan remained deeply involved with the program, later becoming an assistant coach to Bo Perasol from 2016 to 2019.
Despite the emotional toll of losing the former Columbian Dyip head coach, the Fighting Maroons turned his passing into much-needed motivation, hoping to snap their two-game losing streak.
Still, UP had to dig deep to fend off Far Eastern University’s Final Four aspirations.
The team escaped with an 86-78 victory to end their skid in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
One of the primary catalysts in their bounce-back win was team captain JD Cagulangan, who scored the Fighting Maroons’ last nine of 11 points to close the game.
Before that, Cagulangan had been limited to just 3-of-14 from the field.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Though his connection with Dandan was limited due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cagulangan made sure to honor him with his clutch heroics.
“Sa part ko, naabutan ko naman si Coach Ricky nung 2020, I think. Yung kapatid niya, nakilala ko rin nung nasa LSGH ako,” shared the 24-year-old guard.
He admitted, “Nung nabalitaan ko yung nangyari sa kanya, nagulat talaga ako and hindi ko alam if ano mararamdaman ko kasi nakita ko lang sa phone ko na nag-passed away si Coach Ricky.”
Unlike Cagulangan, team captain Gerry Abadiano had no direct contact with Dandan during his four-year tenure with UP. However, he understood the lasting legacy and impact that the 62-year-old coach left on the Fighting Maroons.
With that in mind, Abadiano dedicated his stellar performance to the former Columbian Dyip head coach, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
“Para sa akin, hindi ko siya nakasama pero isang part siya ng UP MBT. Malaking bagay para sa team namin ito, dagdag motivation ito sa team and yung panalo na ito is para talaga sa kanya. Kumbaga sa UP MBT sa amin, naging malaking bagay din siya sa team,” the former NUNS Bullpup expressed.
