KATATAPOS lang ng University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) pero may plano nang rumesbak ang University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons sa susunod na taon.
Makaraang magkampeon noong Mayo matapos ang 36-taong paghihintay, agad nabitawan ng Maroons ang UAAP crown noong Lunes, nang daigin sila ng Ateneo de Manila University sa Season 85 men’s basketball finals, c, sa winner-takes-all Game 3. Fourth title ito in last five seasons ng Blue Eagles.
“I feel really sad,” wika ni UP center Malick Diouf, tinanghal na Most Valuable Player sa Season 85. “But that’s life. We played, and we fought until the end. But God has other plans, so we just have to live like that, and bounce back.”
Si Diouf ay may 10.79 points, 10.86 rebounds, 2.86 assists, 1.57 blocks, 1.5 steals per game sa elimination round.
Ngunit nalimitahan siya sa finals series sa six points per game lang, bagama’t mayroon siyang 13.3 rebounds per contest at 19 boards sa Game 3.
Samantala, sa Season 86 ay mawawala na sa Maroons sina Zavier Lucero, Henry Galinato, Brix Ramos, AJ Madrigal at Conrad Catapusan, na pawang gagraduate na.
Mananatili naman sa roster si CJ Cansino, ‘di nakapaglaro dahil sa knee injury, at nangako rin si James Spencer na tatapusin ang final season bilang Fighting Maroon.
Madadagdag sa team sina Reyland Torres at Janjan Felicilda, transferee mula sa National University (NU). (DENNIS IÑIGO)
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