UNIVERSITY of the Philippines is showing no signs of slowing down ahead of its title-retention bid in the 88th UAAP basketball tournament after a completing a triumphant three-peat in the recently-concluded Playtime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Pre-season Cup.
In the winner-take-all finals last Sunday at The Arena in San Juan, the Fighting Maroons, led by Gerry Abadiano, scored a convincing victory against the National University Bulldogs 79-65.
The Goldwin Monteverde-mentored UP crew, with its mastery in the pre-season meet, made history in the competition as the first-ever three-peat champions for the ECJ Perpetual Trophy.
“Actually, first, we’re very thankful to God na ibinigay niya sa amin iyong opportunity. Not every team was given an opportunity to win this three straight. And it also kind of like, parang syempre nakikita mo whatever we’re working hard for this part of the year, nakikita namin iyong bunga ng hard work namin,” Monteverde said.
“At the same time, alam din namin we’re still staying grounded pa rin. I mean, our focus namin is to get ready for the upcoming season,” he added.
The Maroons displayed their vaunted depth despite the exit of JD Cagulangan, Francis Lopez and Quentin Millora-Brown.
In the prestigious off-season tourney, Abadiano along with Gani Stevens and Francis Nnoruka and the like had proven their worth for UP.
“I guess, playing as a team. Siyempre, one-challenge naman bawat team, although well, very skilled naman iyong bawat team but when they’re playing together, iyong collective effort ng lahat,” Monteverde said. “I think the biggest challenge unti-unti natututo pa rin kami. Hindi pa rn matatapos iyong pag-strive hard namin to be able to play as a team.”
