Longtime UP backer rallies for support after loss to Ateneo: ‘We’re still No. 2’

MANILA, Philippines–Robina Gokongwei-Pe, longtime patron of the University of the Philippines’ men’s basketball team, was there when the school endured one losing season after another in the UAAP.

It was just five seasons ago when the Fighting Maroons only had one win to show after a winless campaign in Season 76 and that’s what Pe wants the UP community—some of which outraged by the team’s recent loss to Ateneo—to be reminded of heading into the crucial second round of Season 82.

Pe also urged UP supporters to be optimistic given that the Maroons are currently in second place with a 5-2 record just behind the undefeated Blue Eagles.

“Yesterday’s loss to ADMU was painful, but hey, at 5-2, we are still second after round one,” Pe said in a statement Monday.

“Our company has supported the UP men’s basketball team for the past nine years. Even if we went through so many 0-7’s after round one and 0-14’s at the end of the season, we still continued to support the team. Because this is not about you or me. It’s not about whether we win by one point or lose by 26 points. It’s about getting the UP community finally together and getting them to support and cheer on, simply because we just darn love our school.”

On Sunday, UP dropped an 89-63 decision to defending champion Ateneo in a game where head coach Bo Perasol got tossed after lashing out at a game official and ultimately got slapped with a three-game suspension for his actions.

UP supporters also expressed their disgust over the officiating on social media.

“Through these nine years we have gone through six coaches. As a head of a business, I need not even explain what happens when you have six CEOs in nine years. Let us not forget that last season, the UP mbt reached the finals after 32 long years, and I can’t even remember the last time UP had a standing of 5-2 after round one. Onward to round two! UP FIGHT!”