UAAP: ‘Fearless’ Fortea, Alarcon, and company locked in for another title run

They say time is the most valuable currency, so Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, and the rest of the graduating Fighting Maroons just cashed in for more games and another trip to the UAAP finals.

Considered as one of the hottest squads coming into the Final Four, the University of the Philippines showed their playoff grit by fending off a game challenge by University of Santo Tomas, 82-81.

In need of a basket down the stretch, Fortea fearlessly sank a triple to send UP into its fifth straight finals appearance.

Choosing to pursue their athletic endeavors in Diliman, Alarcon and Fortea shared that it is in their five years in UP wherein they learned to handle pressure and rise to the occasion.

“Sa five years ko dito sa UP, 'yun nga, naka-limang finals na din ako. Parang 'yung composure and maturity nandyan. Sa mga experiences, ups and downs, doon ko talaga siya nakukuha,” said Alarcon, who finished the game with a team-high 22 points in the victory.

“Sabi nga ni Coach Gold [Monteverde], experience yung best teacher. Thankful na din na-experience namin 'yung limang taon na 'yun dahil magagamit namin 'yun sa susunod na level namin as players,” added Fortea.

While anticipating the finals series to be an emotional rollercoaster for them and their fellow Fighting Maroons, Alarcon and Fortea understand that the job’s not finished.

“Hindi ko na masyado siyang iniisip. 'Yung preparation pa rin talaga 'yung pinaka-focus ko…'Yun pa rin 'yung pinaka-goal, pinaka-focus namin, yung makuha ang back-to-back,” asserted Fortea. 

“For me, special siya para sa akin kasi alam mo 'yun, parang every game, hindi na ulit ako makakabalik next season eh. So, kung ano yung pinapakita namin, binibigay lang namin lahat talaga,” said Alarcon.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News