Grind continues for UAAP title-defending Maroons

MANILA, Philippines — Winning a historic three-peat in the preseason is just the beginning for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

With their sights set on defending the crown in UAAP Season 88 next month, there is no slowing down for the Maroons  who will intensify their build-up at home after a productive training camp in Serbia and a spotless off-season campaign.

The UAAP opens in the middle of September, making it a perfect timing for UP to fine-tune its bearings amid an expected tough title defense against seven challengers led by modern-day rival La Salle.

UP beat La Salle, 2-1, in the UAAP Season 87 final for its second title in four seasons, in which the Diliman-based dribblers made the finals each time, before eliminating it in the Filoil semis.

"Kailangan pang magtrabaho. Sa amin naman, kailangan 'wag pa rin kaming makampante kasi ang pinaka-goal pa naman namin is ‘yung UAAP,” said team captain Gerry Abadiano, who anchored UP’s unprecedented run in the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup.

Behind Abadiano, who was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player, UP became the first team to win three straight Filoil titles to bring home the ECJ Perpetual Trophy to Diliman following a 79-65 finale win over National University.

Abadiano dropped 13 points in the finale and will have a solid core led by the championship core of Harold Alarcon, Jacob Bayla, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres and Gani Stevens by his side despite the departure of Finals MVP JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez.

Not to add the arrival of former UAAP Mythical Team member Rey Remogat, who sat out last season to serve a one-year eligibility after transferring from the UE Red Warriors. UP also has a new foreign student-athlete in Nigerian Francis Nnoruka, who impressed in the Filoil in lieu of compatriot Dickachi Udodo.

"Hindi pa rin kami titigil. Blessing ito sa amin pero bukas, bagong challenge na naman ulit," added Abadiano, who also led UP to a sweep of the Marty Cup 2025 Battle of Champions pocket tournament in Tacloban.