Finally back in the Final Four

The long wait for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to get back in the Final Four of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines came to an end last week after it finally broke through with a gallant and impressive victory over the De La Salle Green Archers in an all-important match.
It was a proud moment for the UP community, with some even shedding a tear or two, which had to endure 21 years of primarily rough sailing for its beloved Maroons, including some winless seasons along the way.
The futile pursuit for the Final Four halted when the Diliman-based squad got the better of La Salle, 97-81, on Nov. 14 in a game that had the Maroons rising up to the challenge collectively to much success.
The match, on hindsight, turned out to be very huge because a loss could have eliminated UP anew especially after Far Eastern University, which it shared a 7-6 record entering their final games of the elimination round, won its last game.
Was able to cover the UP-La Salle match and I just had goose bumps.
I could not help but go back to the days when UP, while not short in fight, was just outplayed by its opponents en route to piling up all those losses.
In the La Salle game, the Maroons were punched in the mouth early on but instead of backing down, they responded in a big way, hitting shots after shots and making it tough for the Archers to make any comeback.
Interestingly, the game could be said of how Season 81 has gone for UP.
The Maroons finished the opening round of the eliminations with a 3-4 card, leaving many, including this writer, to wonder if this season is once again promise unfulfilled for the team.
But in the second round UP picked things up, making the needed adjustments in their game plan and rotation while transferee Bright Akhuetie found the consistency in his game to eventually fortify his claim to the UAAP most valuable player award.
The result was glaring with the team going 5-2 to will itself to its first Final Four appearance in 21 years, or as I see it, since I left college.
In the semifinals, starting this weekend, the third-seeds Maroons are to face the second-seeded Adamson Soaring Falcons, who have had the number of UP so far in Season 81, winning both their two games in the elimination round.
However, where the Maroons are currently right now I believe they are capable of fashioning out an upset in the Final Four.
This is beside the fact that the losses of UP to Adamson were close ones, including a buzzer-beater by Sean Manganti in the first round.
I think the Maroons are now sharp enough to mix it up with the Falcons.
The twice-to-win handicap is somewhat daunting at the onset but it is not something insurmountable.
The Maroons returning to the UAAP Final Four is already a cause for celebration, and a nod to the steadily improving UP basketball program.
But as coach Bo Perasol said, “We are in this to win this.” And I am all for it. Go UP!
 
Michael Angelo S. Murillo has been a columnist since 2003. He is a BusinessWorld reporter covering the Sports beat.
msmurillo@bworldonline.com