UAAP: Goldwin Monteverde lauds UP ‘Maroon 5’ after meaningful stint together

University of the Philippines head coach Goldwin Monteverde was nothing short of grateful to his five graduating key players after over seven years of partnership in the UAAP.

The group of ‘Maroon 5’ in Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felecilda bade farewell to the UP community in the finale of the Season 88 men’s basketball.

UP came up short of back-to-back titles after falling to De La Salle University, 80-72, in the conclusion of their new-age championship trilogy last December 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Under Monteverde along with Maroon 5, the Diliman-based squad became one of the most successful basketball program of the last five seasons with five consecutive stints in the finals, two of which ended in UAAP titles.

For Monteverde, there was nothing more he could have asked from his five reliable leaders, whom he has been with since his tenure with National University Nazareth School.

With the Bullpups then, Alarcon, Abadiano, Fortea, Torres, and Felicilda won two titles in the UAAP juniors division.

“I feel blessed. As a coach, to have this opportunity to be with guys who have been with you since high school pa lang sila,” said Monteverde.

“We were at the top noon. Although, ayoko naman matalo kami, ngayon nakasama ko na rin sila sa panalo’t talo. Yung pinakita nila sa akin wala na akong hihilingin pa. I guess kung ganun 'yung mga taong kasama mo sa ganitong panahon, sa saya’t lungkot, talagang mamahalin mo sila.” 

After all, the decorated mentor not only guided his players' transition from one level of competition to the next, but he watched them grow up before his eyes.

“Very proud ako as a coach. Nakikita natin every game 'yung development nila. But ako I get a chance to see them every day pati sa practice. We say na even in every practice is a championship also. Ganun silang klaseng kasama. Kumbaga whatever it is they are doing, they give it their one hundred percent,” he said.

Monteverde also added that his players have proven their enduring brotherhood through the highs and lows of their young careers.

“Para sa akin, 'yung klase ng samahan na meron sila one of a kind. Of course, maganda na magkasama kayo sa panalo. But then, the true test is 'yung magkasama kayo sa pagkatalo. Parehas namin 'yung naranasan. To be with them [through both], solid pa rin kami,” Monteverde said.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News