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UAAP: UP’s ‘Maroon 5’ bid farewell to Fighting Maroons
Graduating University of the Philippines (UP) players Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felicilda, collectively known as the “Maroon 5," shared heartfelt farewell messages to the UP Fighting Maroons and the Diliman community as they close their collegiate basketball chapter.
The five players reached the UAAP men’s basketball finals in all of their playing years with UP, capturing two championships in Seasons 84 and 87 along the way.
In their final season, however, UP fell short of a title after losing to De La Salle University in the UAAP Finals last December.
Alarcon was the first to post his farewell message last Tuesday.
“It is a privilege to wear and represent the Maroon jersey for five seasons. I learned a lot in those five years, each year bringing its own lessons. Been in my best and in my lowest but nonetheless, it made me better. I lived through moments of victories and moments of adversity, grateful to have experienced both of them in my journey in UP,” Alarcon wrote in his post Tuesday.
The remaining four followed with their own messages on Wednesday, all expressing gratitude to UP for the opportunity to represent the Fighting Maroons.
“Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa pagkakataong makapaglaro ng basketball at mairepresenta ang University of the Philippines,” Torres wrote.
“Unang-una gusto ko magpasalamat sa inyo lalo na sa pag tanggap sa akin at sa walang sawang supporta na pinakita niyo sa amin,” Felicilda wrote.
“Walang katumbas na pagpapasalamat sa Panginoon sa oportunidad na makalaglaro sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas at sa mga biyaya na ipinagkaloob Niya sa akin sa limang taon na paglalaro ko sa unibersidad na ito,” Abadiano wrote.
“Hindi madali, pero bawat araw, bawat ensayo, bawat laro — worth it lahat para sa UP Community,” Fortea wrote.
The five players also thanked UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, who has been with them since their days in the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) high school program.
“Maraming salamat, Coach Gold! Hindi ka lang tumayong tatay sa loob ng court kundi pati sa labas. Nandito ako sa kinakatayuan ko ngayon dahil sayo,” Torres wrote.
Alarcon, meanwhile, expressed his appreciation for his longtime friends and teammates, who will now be heading in different directions after years of playing together.
“Gerry, Reyland, Janjan, and Terrence walang mahirap na problema kapag kayo ang kasama. Salamat sa buhay n'yo, salamat sa pinagsamahan nating nabuo,” Alarcon wrote.
As their amateur basketball careers come to a close, Fortea shared a message he will carry with him beyond Diliman.
“Sa bawat laban, may panalo o talo, pero lagi kong dala ‘yung puso ng isang Iskolar ng Bayan.
This chapter may be ending, but the memories, the lessons, and the people I met along the way — I’ll carry them forever.”
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
