Ask any student of the University of the Philippines (UP) if he or she supports and watches the games of the men’s varsity basketball team; more often than not, the reply would be somewhere along the lines of “Hindi na. Hindi naman sila nananalo.”
The UP Maroons are the underdogs of the UAAP. In the grand scheme of things, underdogs are meant to see the light of day, as depicted in films like “Rocky,” “The Karate Kid,” “Dodgeball” and even “The Princess Diaries.”
But after 27 winless games for the past two years, the team has become the butt of endless jokes and witty sports memes. So, the number of fans at a typical UP Maroons game would be noticeably few, dragging the players’ spirits even lower.
Different
But there was something different in the air last Aug. 9— the Maroons’ game against the Adamson University Falcons, both winless and hungry for victory. Many people were saying that this was the game to watch.
Dan Palami, UP Maroons manager, said that the team would throw a bonfire celebration in the event of a win.
For the first time in a long while, the Mall of Asia Arena was filled with a boisterous crowd, clad predominantly in maroon, hoping that fate would be kinder this time.
And it turned out so fine, the Maroons controlling the game, building a 40-32 advantage at half-time before finally clinching a 77-64 win over the Falcons.
Cheers and screams of “UP Fight!” filled the MOA Arena.
The bonfire
Following the victory, UP students and supporters began flooding Facebook and Twitter with talk of the bonfire. Was it really going to happen? Rumors even had it that an Eraserheads reunion would cap the celebration.
Much to everyone’s surprise, the bonfire happened. Right in the middle of the Sunken Garden stood a cauldron of burning embers and people relishing UP’s victory. Live music played, fireworks lit the sky, and victorious cheers resonated throughout the field.
But while this was going on, other people commented on how unnecessary this party was for a seemingly insignificant victory.
But the bonfire was not really for UP winning against Adamson. It was, simply, a bash for victory itself—and for the possibility of more to come.
Change
For the UP community, a new academic year has begun with the implementation of a new school calendar. Four months of summer vacation have quickly gone by. Some Iskos (UP scholars) spent that time on an extended leave in the province, while others took on new adventures like internships, summer classes, workshops, etc.
The academic calendar shift was controversial because it entailed a massive change that will affect more than the UP community. But, with just a few adjustments, the change seemed all for the good.
Just a few days into the new school year, a change has come along—the UP Maroons fought gallantly and won. Perhaps it’s a blazing sign of an incredible year ahead and a series of positive changes around the corner.
And maybe, just maybe, more and more people will support the UP Maroons just as they did last Aug. 9. Come to think of it, underdogs always land on top.