Do you believe this?
The varsity hoopsters of UP are surprisingly in the higher rung of the UAAP leadership totem pole this early in the men’s basketball division.
Time was when the Maroons were playing, fans would shy away from the venue because nobody, yes, nobody among UAAP fans would give credit to the State U cagers.
I am a fan of UP because I like the underdog tag given the team. They play doubly hard – diving for the loose balls and fightng for the rebounds despite being undersized. And you know that if ever the boys beat the opposing squad, it is always considered an upset. How’s that?
I am proud to have a UP Maroon in the person of the late Anthony Nicanor who wore the State U uniform in the sixties. Just 5’5” in height, Tony beat the lights out of the opposition by emerging MVP before he retired.
He averaged 20 plus points every game, was a good ballhandler and ably defended against point guards taller and heftier than him. That included former PBA legend and senator Robert Jaworski.
UP’s last memorable exploit was the first ever title it won during the playing days of Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc and Eric Altamirano in 1986, if I recall correctly. Under the excellent tutelage of coach Joe Lipa, the Maroons collared what sports observers call “a treasure of a crown.”
Just last week, UP upended defending champion La Salle in a game the Maroons seizing the lead from the beginning. The sharp shooting Paul Desiderio is the spearhead of coach Bo Mirasol’s hardly spoken of charges who put in the winning shot when the Maroons squeaked past UST.
In its confrontation with La Salle, the State U five did not appear threatened by the thought that they were up against the reigning titleholders. They executed their offense well and defended ably against the Green Archers’ big men.
But momentarily, UP’s winning skein was halted by neighboring Ateneo de Manila who displayed cohesiveness and excellent offensive patterns to inflict a loss in the former’s otherwise clean slate.
Unlike the other UAAP teams that have extensive support from their affluent alumni association, UP seems deserted and abandoned. Except that a recruit is given free tuition and scholarship, no other amenities are available.
These are the very reasons why extra-gifted, high flying high school players are not enlisted by UP. Supportive rich alumni groups of other institutions are reportedly offering much more to get around the strict rules governing player recruitment.
You see, even in the US NCAA, it is a taboo and a violation of the rules if any school would offer more than the free scholarship program that entitles a would-be player to complete and finish a college degree.
Here, alumni groups are heard offering cars and condos to freshmen who already have established a name for themselves in the NCAA, UAAP, Palaro, in the Cebu basketball circuit and elsewhere.
These, aside from some remuneration parents are demanding from the recruiting college teams.
This is very unfair, isn’t it?
Many parents I talked to in the not so distant past confessed that the family needed something in return that is why they fall prey to the attractive offers. After all, their player-sons will fight tooth and nail for the team that takes them in.
Again, you see the economic angle being factored in even before the boy gets to play professionally in the PBA.
I believe this anomaly should be corrected.
Do you know that gambling syndicates bet heavily during championship games in the NCAA and the UAAP especially if they are between rivals among the Big Four like Ateneo, La Salle, FEU and UST?
Will UP have a chance to contend for the UAAP championship again? (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) 1Cor. 1:25: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
