UP Fighting Maroons on 2-0 start: 'Sobrang sarap!'

The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate their win against La Salle. KC Cruz

 

 

It has been a long time since University of the Philippines had a winning streak in the UAAP. 

 

A perennial cellar-dweller in the collegiate league, the Fighting Maroons have had three winless seasons in the past eight years.

 

But after staging a huge 71-66 upset over powerhouse La Salle on Wednesday, UP tasted not just the joy of a single victory, but of winning two in a row. The Fighting Maroons also won their opening game against University of the East to take the unlikely position of league leader early in the tournament.

 

"Sobrang sarap! High pa kami ni Paul [Desiderio] ngayon sa win namin," said comebacking guard Jett Manuel, who led the Maroons with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

 

Desiderio, sitting on the other side of coach Rensy Bajar at the press room of SMART-Araneta Coliseum, couldn't agree more.

 

"Sobrang saya ko ngayon, hindi ako makapaniwala na nanalo kami," said Desiderio, who helped Manuel carry the team with 13 points.

 

UP has not beaten La Salle in the past five seasons, with their last victory against the Archers coming in 2009.

 

Bajar, however, said he is not surprised that his wards pulled off the role of a giant slayer in the UAAP, and took pride in their ability to exceed expectations.

 

"Bago naman kami dumating dito, wala namang-nag expect kami na makarating kami into 2-0. But the boys, pinakita ng mga bata na naghihirap sila sa practice," said the coach.

 

"Hindi ako nagugulat dun sa mga bata," he added. "Araw-araw nakikita ko sila sa practice. Kung papaano 'yung binibigay nilang sikat, sakripisyo, naandun." —JST, GMA News