UP Fighting Maroons men's basketball

UP Fighting Maroons
UP Fighting Maroons men's basketball with 22nd UP president Angelo Jimenez during UAAP Season 87
University	University of the Philippines Diliman
Founded	Early 20th century
History	UP Maroons (until 1930s) UP Parrots (1930s–1990s) UP Fighting Maroons (1990s–present)
Head coach	Goldwyn Monteverde (4th season)
Location	U.P. Campus, Quezon City
Nickname	Fighting Maroons
Colors	Maroon and Forest Green
UAAP Champion (4)
1940 1986 2021 2024
NCAA Champion (4)
1924 1925 1926 1929

The UP Fighting Maroons are the collegiate men's basketball team of the University of the Philippines Diliman, which play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the premiere sports league in the country.

Etymology

The "Fighting Maroons" name is derived from the Maroons, escaped African slaves in the Caribbean. UP was formerly known as the "Maroons" in the 1920s, derived from the color of their uniforms, then as the "UP Parrots" starting in the 1930s, until it was changed to the current "UP Fighting Maroons" in the 1990s.

History

UP is one of the founding members (1938) of the UAAP. It was also a founding member and the originator of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1924.^[1] Prior to the establishment of the Diliman campus, the campus was in what is now University of the Philippines Manila.

The Fighting Maroons won their first championship title in the inaugural season of the NCAA (1924–1925). They also became the champions in NCAA Season 1 (1925–1926), and NCAA Season 2 (1926–1927), winning three consecutive titles. The Fighting Maroons won their last championship in the NCAA in Season 5 (1929–1930). After six years, the Fighting Maroons permanently withdrew from competing in NCAA.

In 1938, Far Eastern University, National University, the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas formed the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.^[2] UP Fighting Maroons won their first championship in the UAAP in UAAP Season 2 (1939–1940).

As of 2025, the Fighting Maroons have won four championship titles in UAAP men's basketball.

Current roster

Main article: UAAP Season 88 basketball tournaments

UP Fighting Maroons roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Height Year High School G/F 2 Torres, Reyland 6'1" (1.85m) 5th NU Nazareth School SF 8 Bayla, Jacob 6'5" (1.96m) 2nd Valley Christian High School PF/C 9 Nnoruka, Francis 6'9" (2.06m) 1st NU Nazareth School G 10 Fortea, Terrence John 6'1" (1.85m) 5th NU Nazareth School PF 13 Belmonte, Mark Gil 6'7" (2.01m) 4th St. John the Baptist Catholic School PG 16 Remogat, Rey-Adrian 5'10" (1.78m) 4th FEU-Diliman PF 17 Palanca, Miguel 6'6" (1.98m) 1st NU Nazareth School SG 18 Alarcon, Harold 6'2" (1.88m) 5th NU Nazareth School G 19 Abadiano, Gerry Austin (C) 6'0" (1.83m) 5th NU Nazareth School PG 20 Felicilda, Ernest John 5'7" (1.7m) 5th NU Nazareth School PF 27 Andres, L.A. John 6'6" (1.98m) 4th St. Mary of the Woods School F 30 Yniguez, Miguel 6'5" (1.96m) 1st Canyon Crest Academy C 33 Alter, Sean Stark 6'10" (2.08m) 3nd Volcano Vista High School SF 34 Coronel, Joshua Caleb 6'1" (1.85m) 1st La Salle Green Hills C 55 Stevens, Jalen Isagani 6'8" (2.03m) 3rd North Community High School SF 77 Briones, Lowell Francis Jr. 6'6" (1.98m) 3rd Sierra Vista High School	Head coach Goldwin Monteverde Assistant coach(es) Christian Luanzon (Lead Assistant Coach) Poch Juinio Eric Gonzales Edgar Macaraya Tom Chua Wilson Ang Ryan Alba Moriah Gingerich Dwight DeMayo (Strength and Conditioning Coach) Team manager Atty. Agaton Uvero Legend (C) Team captain Injured

Head coaches

• 1981–1986: Joe Lipa
• 1991–1993: Rey Madrid
• 1994: Joe Lipa
• 1995: Orlando Bauzon
• 1995–1996: Eric Altamirano
• 1997–1999: Nic Jorge^[3]
• 2000–2002: Ryan Gregorio^[4][5]
• 2002: Allan Gregorio^[6]
• 2003–2005: Lito Vergara^[7]
• 2006–2007: Joe Lipa^[8]
• 2008–2010: Aboy Castro^[9]
  • 2010: Potit de Vera (interim)^[10]
  • 2010: Boyet Fernandez (acting)^[11]
• 2011–2013: Ricky Dandan^[12]
  • 2013: Rey Madrid (interim)^[13]
• 2014–2015: Rey Madrid^[14]
• 2015: Rensy Bajar^[15]
• 2016–2020: Bo Perasol^[16][17]
• 2021–present: Goldwin Monteverde^[18]

Season-by-season records

Until 1997, the UAAP primarily ranked the teams by tournament points using FIBA's method. Starting in 1998, the UAAP primarily ranked by winning percentage. There's no difference in ranking once all games were played, but in the middle of the season, rankings made by these two methods may differ.

Until 1997

Season	League	Elimination round					Playoffs
		Pos	GP	W	L	Pts	GP	W	L	Results
1986	UAAP	2nd/8					2	2	0	Won Finals vs UE
1987	UAAP	3rd/8	14	9	5	16	Did not qualify, 3rd place
1988	UAAP	3rd/8	14	10	4	23	Did not qualify, 3rd place
1989	UAAP	5th/8	14	8	6	22	Did not qualify
1990	UAAP	7th/8	14	4	10	18	Did not qualify
1991	UAAP	4th/8	14				Did not qualify
1992	UAAP	8th/8	14	5	9	19	Did not qualify
1993	UAAP	7th/8	14	3	11	17	No playoffs held[a]
1994	UAAP	5th/7	12	4	8	16	Did not qualify
1995	UAAP	5th/8	14	5	9	19	Did not qualify
1996	UAAP	3rd/8	14	9	5	23	1	0	1	Lost semifinals vs UST
1997	UAAP	4th/8	14	8	6	22	2	1	1	Lost semifinals vs FEU

Since 1998

Season	League	Elimination round						Playoffs
		Pos	GP	W	L	PCT	GB	GP	W	L	Results
1998	UAAP	5th/8	14	7	7	.500	6	1	0	1	Lost 4th seed playoff vs UST
1999	UAAP	6th/8	14	5	9	.429	6	Did not qualify
2000	UAAP	6th/8	14	4	10	.286	8	Did not qualify
2001	UAAP	7th/8	14	6	8	.429	6	Did not qualify
2002	UAAP	6th/8	14	5	9	.357	8	Did not qualify
2003	UAAP	7th/8	14	3	11	.214	8	Did not qualify
2004	UAAP	5th/8	14	7	7	.500	4	Did not qualify
2005	UAAP	5th/8	14	6	8	.429	6	Did not qualify
2006	UAAP	6th/7	12	4	8	.333	6	Did not qualify
2007	UAAP	8th/8	14	0	14	.000	14	Did not qualify
2008	UAAP	6th/8	14	3	11	.214	10	Did not qualify
2009	UAAP	8th/8	14	3	11	.214	10	Did not qualify
2010	UAAP	8th/8	14	0	14	.000	12	Did not qualify
2011	UAAP	8th/8	14	2	12	.143	11	Did not qualify
2012	UAAP	8th/8	14	1	13	.071	11	Did not qualify
2013	UAAP	8th/8	14	0	14	.000	10	Did not qualify
2014	UAAP	7th/8	14	1	13	.071	10	Did not qualify
2015	UAAP	7th/8	14	3	11	.214	8	Did not qualify
2016	UAAP	6th/8	14	5	9	.357	8	Did not qualify
2017	UAAP	5th/8	14	6	8	.429	7	Did not qualify
2018	UAAP	3rd/8	14	8	6	.571	4	4	2	2	Lost Finals vs Ateneo
2019	UAAP	2nd/8	14	9	5	.643	5	2	0	2	Lost stepladder round 2 vs UST
2020[b]	UAAP	Season canceled
2022 (S84)	UAAP	2nd/8	14	12	2	.857	1	5	3	2	Won Finals vs Ateneo
2022 (S85)	UAAP	2nd/8	14	11	3	.786	—	4	2	2	Lost Finals vs Ateneo
2023	UAAP	1st/8	14	12	2	.857	—	4	2	2	Lost Finals vs La Salle
2024	UAAP	2nd/8	14	11	3	.786	1	4	3	1	Won Finals vs La Salle

1. UST won all elimination round games. Based on the rules at that time, they were then named automatic champions, and other teams were ranked by elimination round finish.
2. Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honors

Team honors

• University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)
  • Champions (4): 1939,^[19] 1986,^[20] 2022,^[21] 2024^[22]
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
  • Champions (4): 1924, 1925, 1926, 1929

Player honors

• UAAP Most Valuable Player
  • Fort Acuña (1): 1968
  • Eric Altamirano (1): 1986
  • Bright Akhuetie (1): 2019^[23]
  • Malick Diouf (1): 2022^[24]
• UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player
  • Malick Diouf (1): 2022^[25]
  • JD Cagulangan (1): 2024^[26]
• UAAP Rookie of the Year
  • Benjie Paras: 1986
  • Woody Co: 2006
  • Kyles Jefferson Lao: 2013
  • Juan Gómez de Liaño: 2017
  • Carl Tamayo: 2022
  • Francis Lopez: 2023

Notable players

Gerry Abadiano Andre Paras Axel Doruelo Benjie Paras Bo Perasol Bright Akhuetie Bryan Gahol Carl Tamayo CJ Cansino Diego Dario Dionisio Calvo Edward Juinio Eric Altamirano Fort Acuña Francis Lopez Goldwin Monteverde Javi Gómez de Liaño Jay-R Reyes JD Cagulangan Juan Gómez de Liaño Jireh Ibañes Jun Bernardino Kobe Paras Magi Sison Mariano Araneta Marvin Cruz Mikee Reyes Nic Jorge Patrick Aquino Paolo Mendoza Paul Desiderio Quentin Millora-Brown Raul Soyud Ronnie Magsanoc Ricci Rivero Ryan Gregorio Sam Marata (SG) Yeng Guiao

Legend   C   Center   PG   Point Guard   PF   Power Forward   SG   Shooting Guard   SF   Small Forward

See also

• University of the Philippines
• UP Fighting Maroons

References

1. Lt. Col. Julian Malonso, P.A. "NCAA History". NCAA Philippines. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
2. Jerusalem, Dan (October 8, 2016). "The Evolution of the UAAP". The LaSallian. De La Salle University. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
3. Galvez, Waylon (June 13, 2020). "Former PH basketball team coach Nic Jorge passes away". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
4. Henson, Joaquin M. "Sporting Chance". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
5. "UP Maroons may magandang kinabukasan ngayon". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
6. "Red-hot Maroons want Archers in casualty list". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
7. "UP sports execs ax Maroons' basketball coach Joe Lipa". GMA News Online. September 21, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
8. "UP Fighting Maroons get new basketball coach". GMA News Online. February 12, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
9. Almo, Alder T. (July 23, 2010). "UP finally changes Maroons coach". Retrieved October 17, 2023.
10. Almo, Alder T. (July 23, 2010). "UP finally changes Maroons coach". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
11. de la Fuente, Franz Jonathan G. (August 6, 2010). "Maroons collapse early against Eagles, 78-53". Tinig ng Plaridel. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
12. "Ricky Dandan officially out as UP head coach, Rey Madrid to take over". SolarSportsDesk.ph. August 19, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
13. Leyba, Olmin. "Maroons coach quits; ex- mentor tapped". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
14. Songalia, Ryan (November 3, 2014). "UP sacks Rey Madrid, opens applications for new coach". RAPPLER. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
15. Leongson, Randolph B. (May 2, 2016). "UP Fighting Maroons tap Bo Perasol as head coach". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
16. Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (May 2, 2016). "UP officially hands over reins of Fighting Maroons to Perasol". ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
17. Leongson, Randolph B. (May 2, 2016). "UP Fighting Maroons tap Bo Perasol as head coach". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
18. Lozada, Bong (August 13, 2021). "UP Maroons name Goldwyn Monteverde as new head coach". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
19. "Everybody Loves the Underdogs: Reliving the UP Fighting Maroons' 1986 Victory". Equire Phiippines. December 1, 2018.
20. "Remembering Maroons' 1986 championship". Philstar.com. March 21, 2012.
21. "Champions at last". University of the Philippines Diliman. May 17, 2022.
22. "Crown Back in Diliman: UP reclaims UAAP Men's Basketball title in thrilling finale". Tiebreaker Times. December 15, 2024.
23. Riego, Norman (November 19, 2018). "UAAP: UP has its first MVP in 32 years in Bright Akhuetie". ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
24. Leongson, Randolph (December 14, 2022). "UP Maroons center Malick Diouf is UAAP Season 85 MVP". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
25. Li, Matthew (May 13, 2022). "Malick Diouf hailed UAAP 84 Finals MVP". Tiebreaker Times.
26. Valencia, Justin (December 15, 2024). "JD Cagulangan caps historic UP career with UAAP Finals MVP honors". Tiebreaker Times.