GALLERY: UP Fighting Maroons return to UAAP Finals after 32 years

In long-awaited moment for the UP faithful, the Fighting Maroons have returned to the UAAP men’s basketball finals after more than three decades.

The Fighting Maroons had spent a number of years in the cellar but with a change in culture in the past few years and bright recruits, they were able to turn a slow start at 1-3 into a finals appearance to remember in Season 81.

With odds stacked against them against the no. 2 seed Adamson, which held a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, UP showed what fighting was all about, winning two straight to knock out Adamson and enter the title round for the first time since 1986.

READ: UP Maroons head to first UAAP finals stint in 32 years, knocks out Adamson

The 89-87 overtime win on Wednesday was nothing but an emotional moment for the players, the coaching staff and the UP fans.

Take a look at some of the images of triumph and despair after today’s game courtesy of Inquirer Sports photographer Tristan Tamayo.