When everything was on the line for the University of the Philippines, one man stood unfazed amid the chaos.
Harold Alarcon rose above the noise of the roaring SM Mall of Asia Arena, taking full command in crunch time to steer the Fighting Maroons past the gritty but misfiring University of Santo Tomas, 89-88, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.
As Nigerian center Collins Akowe continued to battle UP’s interior defense possession after possession, Alarcon — limited to just six points in the first half — refused to back down.
When the game hung in the balance, the graduating guard from Silay, Negros Occidental, delivered when it mattered most. He scored the Fighting Maroons’ final eight points to keep their bid for a twice-to-beat advantage alive and secure solo second in the standings.
Those clutch moments, Alarcon said, no longer shake him. After five years in the UAAP, he’s learned to embrace the pressure — a maturity built through battles alongside former UP stalwarts JD Cagulangan, Carl Tamayo, and CJ Cansino.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Sa five years ko sa college, parang experience na lang din siya sa akin. All throughout my career, marami rin ako na-experience sa UAAP. Yung composure ko na mapili doon sa clutch moments na doon, parang if you experience it kasi, mafi-feel mo kasi ‘eh,” said the 23-year-old Isko, who finished with 22 points on 9-of-18 shooting, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
“Hindi ka na kakabahan or magmamadali, parang nasa present moment ka at parang naka-slow mo lang lahat.”
That calmness under pressure has turned Alarcon into one of UP’s most dependable closers — fearless, focused, and ready to take whatever the defense throws at him.
His maturity and confidence have not only helped UP escape another late-game scare but also served as valuable preparation for the crucial stretch ahead as they push for a Final Four berth and a twice-to-beat incentive.
Behind his heroics, the Fighting Maroons now hold a 7-3 record — creating a one-game cushion over rival De La Salle University, which sits in third place.
“Sabi nga ni Coach Gold, prinepare kami ng experience na ito sa future games namin. Kumbaga, kung maka-experience ulit kami ng ganitong sitwasyon na close games or crucial games, parang hindi na sa amin baguhan,” Alarcon shared.
“Parang kinausap lang din kami ng maayos ni Coach Gold sa dugout. Marami kami off nung first half, kaya nag-adjust kami papasok ng second half. Yung sa fourth quarter naman, whatever na hinaharap sa akin ng defense, kukunin ko lang ‘eh. Kumbaga, kung ano nasa harap, kukunin ko lang.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
And with UP entering the season without the likes of Cagulangan, Francis Lopez, and Quentin Millora-Brown — who all once carried the torch in pressure-packed moments — head coach Goldwin Monteverde commended Alarcon’s evolution into a steadying presence for the defending champions.
“If you have a player like [Harold], malaking relief sa inyo ‘yon sa team. Seeing yung team na able to respond sa ganon, kung si Harold ‘man or ibang teammate niya… Siyempre for a coach masaya ako makita ‘yon na may challenge sa harap mo and kung paano mo siya i-oovercome,” Monteverde said.
“Syempre, nandoon yung pressure, and being able to decide sa ganong situations.”
