The UP Fighting Maroons finally erased two years of heartache by vanquishing one of their tormentors last Sunday in the do-or-die Game 3 of the UAAP men's basketball championship.After climbing the top of the mountain in Season 84 following 36 years of futility, the boys from Diliman came close but there was no cigar the past two seasons as they lost to next-door neighbor Ateneo and De La Salle in Season 85 and Season 86, respectively, before the breakthrough in Season 87. Like many Iskos and Iskos I was on the edge of my seat (at home watching via my iPhone and computer) the whole 40 minutes in the rubber match and more so in the final two minutes of the contest as two-time reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao of La Salle reentered the match.But alas, KQ's magic didn't work this time, as his inexplicably prolonged stint on the bench when the game was on the line most probably affected his usual strong finishing kick—that, and stout defense from high school teammates Harold Alarcon and Reyland Torres (Plus 'Motor' Mike Phil;ips getting majority of the touches in the first half).Kudos to Alarcon for sacrificing his offense to put the cuffs on his good buddy. Ditto for Torres, who had to check out with apparent cramps after defending KQ like there was no tomorrow. The UP Fighting Maroons inddded caught a break when DLSU coach Topex Robinson gave his best player a breather that seemed like an eternity due to the lack of a dead ball.Those couple of minutes without the soon-to-be Goyang Sono cager in the Korean Basketball League and former NU Bull Pup coincided with La Salle making their late-game run, but thanks to UP head coach Gold Monteverde and staff's 'inasawa' defense, Quiambao wasn't able to play the role of hero for the Taft-based team in Game 3.Season 84 hero JD Cagulangan thus had a perfect fairytale ending to his UP career. The former NCAA Junior MVP—with La Salle Greenhills no less—defected to State U after meager playing time at DLSU and won it all in his rookie season. But did he deserve the Finals MVP over one-and-done 6'10' center Quentin Millora-Brown? Sure, but it would've been better if both just took home the covered plum.While Cagulangan brilliantly orchestrated UP's offense in Game 3, milking the shot clock in the final minutes when he saw Quiambao was about to check in, QMB sank two crucial free throws with 11 second left in Game 3 that sealed the deal for the UP Fighting Maroons. That, and his finals series-long brilliance was surely a lock for Finals MVP in most season.Heck, why not make it a triple tie for Finals MVP as Francis 'Don't call me LeBron' Lopez also deserved the accolade for making his version of 'The Shot' when he drilled a cold-hearted triple from top of the key that gave UP a 4-point lead after La Salle cut their once-imposing lead to a solitary point—although all three gentlemen probably don't care about the award as long as they won the championship.And this after Lopez was labeled a sleeper agent for La Salle following his four crucial missed free throws and key turnover in the dying seconds of Game 2.UP Men's Basketball Team program director Dolreich 'Bo' Perasol said the fact the UP came up empty the past two season, makes them cherish the Season 87 championship a little bit more.'The pain of losing the last two championships just made this Season 87 victory a lot sweeter. It paid the price of being patient and resilient despite the numerous setbacks.'Perasol, also a former UP player and ex-head coach of the Fighting Maroons, also gave his players their flowers, specially to Cagulangan, Lopez, and Millora-Brown.'JD, Francis, and Q are the cornerstones of our system this season both on offense and defense. They delivered what were expected of them and much more. Maimai's journey with the UPMBT was really phenomenal—four finals in four appearances. You can't ask for more from him. Francis willed himself to be tough after those free throw misses. He is a competitor. He knows how to handle adversity. We definitely will miss Q a lot.'As for Season 88, UP is hoping that holdovers Alarcon, Torres, and team captain Gerry Abadiano will assume more of a leadership role now that Cagulangan and Millora-Brown have graduated. Lopez could also be back and better, and, with more seasoning and maturity, could inherit Quiambao's best player in the UAAP tag.I also wish that promising wings 6'6' Chico Briones and 6'5' Mark Belmonte finally break into the rotation of UP much like how 6'4' Aldous Torculas and 6'4' Jacob Bayla became integral parts of coach Gold's system this past season (albeit mostly on a defensive role).And Perasol seems to be in agreement. 'They will all have an opportunity to improve some more during the off season.'While Perasol admitted that UP hasn't settled on their FSA (foreign student athlete) next year, one thing is certain—former UE Warrior high-scoring guard Rey Remogat will start at point for the UP Fighting Maroons next year.A UP back-to-back next year? Let's already claim it!
