Making it at No. 5 on the list of top sports stories of 2018 are the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
University of the Philippines captured the hearts of many and stole the UAAP spotlight after making its first finals appearance since 1986.
After a series of losing seasons, including winless campaigns, the Fighting Maroons finally broke through in Season 81.
At the forefront of UP’s dream run were steely guard Paul Desiderio, electrifying sophomore Juan Gomez Di Liaño and Bright Akhuetie, who went on to have an MVP campaign.
UP may not have won the championship after getting swept by Ateneo in the finals, but the Fighting Maroons already overachieved when they stunned No. 2 Adamson in the Final Four.
But they’re far from content and next season could finally be UP’s year with Akhuetie and Di Liaño back in tow and the likes of Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras making their debut for the Maroons.
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