‘Feeling mo lahat kaya mo:’ UP coach leans anew on unsung heroes ‘NU boys’ in 2nd title

MANILA, Philippines – Heroes were out and about at the thrilling conclusion of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament, which saw the UP Fighting Maroons dethrone the De La Salle Green Archers in a nip-and-tuck, winner-take-all Game 3, 66-62.

There was JD Cagulangan, the Season 84 hero who put out a fitting encore to a legendary career three seasons later with a Finals MVP coup, then there were Francis Lopez and Quentin Millora-Brown, clutch finishers who both had a lot to prove despite carrying highly contrasting storylines.

Even Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips shone as heroes — ever-worthy adversaries who gave their all for La Salle and forced the absolute best out of UP for the second straight year.

As the confetti fell at the Araneta Coliseum, the space under the spotlight couldn’t really cover everyone who had meaningful contributions to the winning cause, but they nonetheless deserve every bit of recognition for their efforts.

For UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, that kind of honor once again goes to his ever trusty lieutenants from NU high school Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, and Terrence Fortea, who now join him as two-time UAAP champions after their first rodeo in 2022.

“I never had doubts with my players from before,” Monteverde said after the championship celebration.

“Ever since we got together before until now, you know when you’re gonna enter into battle, ‘pag sila kasama mo, feeling mo lahat kaya mo eh.” (If you’re with them, you feel you can do anything.)

Legendary recruitment power

With Season 84 star Carl Tamayo turning pro after just his rookie UAAP season and Quiambao turning into respected enemy No. 1, Monteverde still had a lot of loyal foot soldiers to carry out his winning plays, including Season 86 transferees Janjan Felicilda and Reyland Torres.

If anything, the Season 87 finals turned out to be the finest display of Monteverde’s recruitment vision, as the majority of his title-winning standouts from the Season 82 high school tournament all grew to be valuable pieces of contending teams half a decade later.

Even his lone holdover in NU, Steve Nash Enriquez, has turned into a tenacious leader for a Bulldogs side still squarely a dark horse contender even after an injury-derailed Season 87 campaign.

With Alarcon already confirming his return for a last dance in Season 88 and Abadiano, Fortea, Felicilda, and Torres all likely to follow suit, Monteverde’s Maroons remain a highly formidable force for a title defense and once again the top team to beat for the rest of the UAAP.

“I’m very thankful for their trust and their perseverance,” Monteverde continued.

“Through their hardwork, we all achieved this title.” – Rappler.com