Fighting Maroons 'surprised' by sudden surge of support from UP fans

A sea of maroon filled the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday. KC Cruz

 

Jett Manuel could not believe his eyes when he entered the court of the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. 

 

The University of the Philippines guard was used to seeing empty seats, but what greeted him instead was a sea of maroon.

 

The team was up against Far Eastern University, last season's runner-up and now the projected top contender for the championship title. In the old days, fans would rather avoid watching a game against such a powerhouse squad.

 

But now supporters of the basketball team filled the stands and cheered at the top of their lungs, catching Manuel off guard.

 

"Walking onto the court a while ago, parang nabigla lang ako. I looked up, sobrang daming UP fans," he said. "Being here for so long, this is the first time we've been receiving so much support."

 

The UP crowd went into frenzy as the Fighting Maroons, erstwhile perennial cellar dwellers and with three winless seasons under their belt, battled toe-to-toe against the heavily-favored Tamaraws.

 

The Maroon-packed stands erupted with every stop the UP boys forced as they ran their full court press, and then culminated into thunderous celebration whenever the team converted a basket.

 

"It's unbelievable, the way the crowd is supporting us right now," Manuel said. "I think what pains the team the most is not coming out with a win especially with the whole UP community supporting us."

 

UP ended up losing the game, 75-58, and absorbed their second loss of the season. But the crowd cheered "Let's go UP!" as if the team won, and once again the Maroon guard could not believe his eyes.

 

"Even if we feel down - syempre we just lost - looking up, singing the school song, hearing the crowd chant after the game, it's a different feeling for us," he said.

 

UP walked away with a 2-2 card, sending the team crashing back to earth after floating in the cloud nine of starting the season with a 2-0 slate. But with Maroon crowd now behind them, the squad has no doubt they can reach new heights.

 

"It keeps us motivated na the UP community is there for us all the time so just no reason for us to give up on our side," Manuel said. —JST, GMA News