Winning the Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball crown is not just something that passes by to the University of the Philippines (UP) but is something that unites the community.

UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) director Bo Perasol said that while he is not undermining the school’s success in other sports, the Fighting Maroons’ recent victory on the hard court resonates with students, professors, staff and alumni alike.

Apart from its men’s basketball crown, UP also dominated the men’s athletics and women’s badminton tournaments.

“That being said, I want to let you in on why winning a basketball championship is a real blessing. Although we are and have been champions in many other sports like track and field, football, badminton, swimming, judo, tennis and others, a basketball championship truly brings the community together,” said Perasol, who called the shots for the Maroons from 2016 to 2021 before handing the coaching duties to Goldwin Monteverde.

“It is basketball — still the country’s favorite sport — that captures the most attention and brings in the support. Our work in the OASD is to develop all our sports, and we are happy to share that basketball has been the magnet and the funnel for the much-needed support that we can give to our other sports.”