MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines' Final Four drought in the UAAP is likely to extend to a 19th year, but for head coach Bo Perasol, they have already overachieved in their campaign in the Season 79 men's basketball tournament.
UP last made the Final Four in 1997, and mathematically, they still have a chance in Season 79 after they beat University of Santo Tomas (UST), 74-69, on Sunday to improve to 5-8.
However, a victory by Adamson University over the already-eliminated Growling Tigers on Wednesday will complete the Final Four cast, and UP will have to settle for eclipsing last season's win total while breaking losing streaks to Ateneo de Manila University, National University, and UST this year.
"What we really wanted to happen, or the thing that resulted in this win is we were able to generate some excitement in the UP community," Perasol said after their win over UST.
"Importante kasi na if we have a program like ours, everybody has to feel that they belong in the program," he added.
That excitement was palpable on Sunday at the San Juan Arena, as the UP fans outnumbered the UST fans and cheered lustily from opening tip until the final buzzer. Indeed, so loud were the UP supporters that in one instance early in the fourth quarter, the players barely heard when a timeout was called.
"More than anything else – 'yung panalo and 'yung character-building – ang pinakamagandang nangyari this season is the generating of excitement sa UP community," Perasol said."Ang laki ng epekto."
[More than anything else – the wins and the character-building – the best thing that happened this season is the generating of excitement from the UP community. It has a big effect (on the team).]
Perasol noted that before, few fans would attend their games. Veteran guard Paul Desiderio even added that he would give away tickets for free, and still few supporters will come.
All that has changed now, however, as the Maroons have lived up to their "fighting" moniker and put up some impressive wins, as well as some highly competitive losses.
"When you see them supporting you, nagbibigay ng confidence sa mga players," Perasol said of the crowd support that they can now count on.
[When you see them supporting you, it gives confidence to the players.]
UP skipper Jett Manuel, who in his last season is finally experiencing success with the Fighting Maroons, was amazed at the crowd in San Juan Arena even though he admitted that he expected more people to come.
"More than half (of the crowd was for UP), wow. Coming into the game, I saw a line for tickets. I can't describe it… the support that the UP community is bringing in, that's something I want to bring in and feel before I leave," Manuel said.
"I hope they keep on supporting us, because we play so much better (when they are there)," he added.
Kyles Lao, whose barrage in the third quarter energized the Fighting Maroons, said their victories this season – all five of them – were for the fans who have supported them through thick and thin.
"I'm really happy for the team, but most importantly, it's giving the fans the wins that they deserve," Lao said. "All throughout sa stay ko sa UP, ito talaga ang hinihintay ng mga fans."
[All throughout my stay in UP, this is what the fans have been waiting for.]
"It's a step closer to what we are trying to do, and trying to achieve," he added.
But in order to keep the UP community engaged and energized, it is obvious that the Fighting Maroons have to continue improving and keep piling up the victories – perhaps even make the Final Four. This is exactly what Perasol and his players have in mind.
"'Yun naman ang direksyon talaga," Perasol said when asked if he sees a better future for his team. "Gusto namin na 'yung programa naming UP, magiging entity to reckon with. Kasi ngayon, parang 'di pinapansin eh. At least ngayon, 'yung program, nagkakaroon ng direksyon."
[That's the direction we want to go to. We want the UP basketball program to be an entity to reckon with. Right now, it's not being noticed, but at least the program has a direction.]
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