A stand against corruption and a demand for accountability.
Defending UAAP collegiate men’s basketball champion University of the Philippines and Season 86 champion De La Salle University will face off in a heated rematch on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum — but both school communities are also aiming to send a statement.
With the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines asking churchgoers to wear white every Sunday in October, both schools are urging their communities watching the game to do the same.
DLSU Sports, the student organization under the university’s Office of Sports Development, called on the community to wear white.
Meanwhile, Nowhere to Go But UP Foundation, the non-profit organization of university alumni supporting UP’s athletic programs, made a similar appeal.
The UP Pep Squad has also vowed to continue their chant of “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot” during games.
It promises to be a war on the court, with both the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers looking to finish the first round on a high note. Winners of the last two UAAP crowns, both squads are jockeying for position as they chase league leader National University and season host University of Santo Tomas.
UP is currently third with a 4-2 record, while La Salle sits fifth at 3-3. Ateneo de Manila University is right in the middle at 4-3.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Fighting Maroons are entering the matchup as the hottest team in the league, riding a four-game winning streak.
Harold Alarcon is leading the charge for UP, with teammates Francis Nnoruka, Rey Remogat, and Gani Stevens starting to find their rhythm.
“Magste-stay lang kami sa present. Magsta-start kami sa training namin para maganda yung preparation papunta sa game sa La Salle. ‘Yon naman yung importante ‘eh, kung ano yung kailangan namin, ‘yon gagawin namin against La Salle,” said Alarcon.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Green Archers are a battered squad, losing key transferees Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan to MCL tears within four days.
Still, La Salle remains deep, led by Michael Phillips. Jacob Cortez and Earl Abadam have also stepped up for their injured teammates.
“We’re gonna really prepare well. I put my trust in our coaches to prepare us well. We know it’s gonna be a good game, and we’re gonna really stick together and do our best to analyze this game,” said Phillips.
“We knew we won, but there were a lot of highlights and a lot of downlights in this game, and so hopefully it’s gonna be a good game come Sunday. We have a couple days to recover and really get back in the groove and hopefully to get a good game against UP on Sunday.”
Tip-off is set for 4:30 PM.
Beyond the stakes on the court, this game will carry special significance for both communities, giving them a platform to make their voices heard in the country’s fight against corruption.
