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Sat 18 October 2025

You are way better than that: An open letter to the UP Fighting Maroons

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The UP Fighting Maroons has kept on fighting, but not winning. File photo by Martin San Diego

It’s that time of the year when the UP Fighting Maroons have to deal, again, with heartbreaking, nerve-racking losses. In the past season, the clamor for a single victory has not materialized. As an incoming freshman of the University of the Philippines, I am writing this not to accept that we are the worst team in the UAAP because I firmly believe, even if my own friends will never agree with me, that YOU are way better than that.

I am a fan of Philippine basketball, in general. When I say in general, that means I support inter-sitio, inter-barangay, inter-town leagues. But, of course this passion extends all the way to the Big Dome.

As I watched the opening tip of the UAAP Season 77 match between you and the UE Red Warriors, I was full of hope and anticipation that, maybe, this was the year. However, when the Red Warriors started to step on the cylinder and Arafat, Mammie and Sumang made their presence felt, I started to concede.

I witnessed how you, my beloved Fighting Maroons, failed to execute against the towering defense of the Red Warriors. I was hurt knowing that UP’s mantra for Season 77, as seen on the pre-game video of the UAAP coverage, was Unity in Execution. But I didn’t see a single trace of that. What I saw were isolation plays and pick and roll sets which Arafat and Mammie just destroyed. Nothing was in synch for you, my beloved team.

At some point in the second quarter, I switched channels. I just couldn’t lay my eyes on the scene wherein you, my hardcourt heroes, were slowly raising the white flag. It’s easy to say that I should just really get used to it. But as a diehard hoops fan, the heavy beating that you, my dearest schoolmates, received was just not too easy in the eyes.

Click the photo to view more photos from the UP vs UE game

Click the photo to view more shots from the UP vs UE game

But I still believe that in the midst of adversity, you will soon rise and give every Isko and Iska something to be proud of. I can see your potential to be contenders in the future. With the entire squad embracing the small-ball system, in a span of two years, a Final Four finish may not be too far-fetched. With Dave Moralde and last season’s rookie of the year Kyles Lao taking care of the scoring duties, the future is bright.

The concept of rebuilding a once-storied basketball squad is not too much of a dream. Maybe with the new team manager that we have, seeing how he transformed the Azkals into a complete bulldog from a puppy a few years ago, you are set for a date with destiny. Only time will tell whether you, players will eventually reach your ceiling but as far as I am concerned, your performance last Saturday was just a glimpse of yesterday.

As I enter a new chapter in my life as a bonafide student of the University of the Philippines, I bring a bunch of prayers for my alma mater.

Always keep in mind that you are way better than what people think.

May this letter serve as a reminder that we are still with you.

Fighting maroons, the whole up community will forever be with you. UP fight! UP fight!

P.S.

Just like Oble… heads up, Fighting Maroons! Let’s do this.

_________________________

Francis Jasper Fulgar will take up journalism at the UP College of Mass Communication in Diliman.

This piece also appeared on his personal blog, The Inksider



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