UAAP: Monteverde credits UP community as Fighting Maroons enter Final Four anew

The University of the Philippines has been on a roll these past few years, winning two UAAP championships in the last four seasons and making the Final Four every year since Season 81.

In five of those seasons, since 2022, head coach Goldwin Monteverde has been the conductor directing the Fighting Maroons in their endeavors.

To the UP faithful, Monteverde might seem like the “golden” formula behind the team’s rise. But for the coach, it is actually the entire Isko community that forms the most important piece of the Fighting Maroons’ success.

“I think it's the whole community itself. We would prepare for every game, or for each year magpe-prepare kami. But then, the support of everybody, kumbaga, for me, we're just part of the whole thing sa UP,” Monteverde shared on Sunday after the Fighting Maroons clinched its seventh straight Final Four stint.

Still, the two-time collegiate champion coach did not spare praise for his squad and coaching staff for putting in the effort every game in hopes of obtaining back-to-back titles.

“On my part, of course, being a coach, very proud kami. You know, being able to be in the Final Four again. Blessed din ako, very thankful [na] maka-kasama ko 'yung team every time na talagang we need to work hard and go through 'yung lahat ng challenges, without giving up during games na tough sa amin.”

UP actually started the season at 0–2 while adjusting to the departures of JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Francis Lopez. However, the Diliman-based squad slowly found its footing, winning nine of its last ten games.

What was the major shift? It is that the Fighting Maroons have found rhythm in depth. Whether it be the graduating players, Francis Nnoruka, or Rey Remogat, UP has found ways to win no matter who ends up taking the lead.

“Vina-value namin 'yung having teammates to step up and knowing that tuwing may challenge sa loob [ng court], someone’s got your back. Siyempre hindi naman araw-araw papabor sa amin. Importante lang, as a team, bawa’t isa sa amin, harapin lang namin at harapin,” Monteverde said.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News