MANILA, Philippines – “There is no way but UP.” That’s how University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan described the win of the Fighting Maroons in UAAP 77 Saturday.
UP ended its 27-game slide with a 77-64 win over Adamson University on Saturday as the whole UP community went giddy with jubilation.
“There is no way but UP. Ang tagumpay ng UP ay tagumpay din ng buong bayan dahil sila ay mga iskolar ng bayan [The victory of UP is also the victory of the whole country because they are the country’s scholars],” Tan said.
“We have proven that we excel not just in academics,” he added.
University of the Philippines students swarm the Sunken garden, rejoicing over the Fighting Maroons’ victory. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net
He said the strong support from the alumni motivated UP players to win the game.
He mentioned that UP alumnus Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero donated basketball equipment.
Meanwhile, Mikee Reyes, who led the fighting maroons with 28 points, thanked the whole UP community for their support.
“To the whole UP community, thank you. Even if it’s a small win, we have to start somewhere,” Reyes said.
Team manager Dan Palami said the team want to savor the end of drought for the fighting maroons.
“We want to savor this win after a long drought,”Palami said adding that the fighting maroons were overwhelmed by the support of the UP community.
Hundreds of UP students gathered at the university sunken garden on Saturday evening for a bonfire to celebrate UP’s first win after two years.
UP students and alumni sang the “UP Naming Mahal” to express their jubilation and unwavering support to the UP fighting maroons.
UP bonfire at the university Sunken Garden. Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net
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