A pair of University of the Philippines (UP) stalwarts are fired up to defend their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) crown after witnessing Gilas Pilipinas pull off a 103-98 win over the Macau Black Bears late Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Big men Sean Alter and Gani Stevens were in attendance to support their former teammates Carl Tamayo and Quentin Millora-Brown slug it out in a friendly duel ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah next week.

Stevens said he is motivated to work even harder after seeing two former Fighting Maroons do well in their respective post-UAAP careers.

Aside from Gilas and the Black Bears, Tamayo and Millora-Brown are also campaigning professionally overseas with the former playing for the Changwon LG Sakers in the Korean Basketball League while the latter in The Asian Tournament.

“Seeing Carl and Q (Millora-Brown) play internationally, it gives me confidence to push myself harder,” said Stevens, one of the strongest forces in college basketball.

“Q was our brother so it was good seeing him back here in the Philippines, especially playing in this court. We shared a lot of good memories here.”

Alter said seeing Tamayo and Millora-Brown at the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup last Sunday renewed his sense of motivation in the incoming Season 88 of the UAAP.

With the two former Maroons at the sidelines, the Fighting Maroons delivered an emphatic performance, booking a 79-65 win over National University to secure their third straight Filoil title.

“It’s great having some of our former guys support us in Filoil. Our motivation is very high for the upcoming UAAP and we’re ready to go,” said Alter, who is expected to get quality minutes in the coming season together with Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon and Jacob Bayla.