On the UP and college basketball: Something special happens

POTENTIAL CHAMPION. All of a sudden boasting of a stacked range, the UP Maroons are now among the contenders under the UAAP. Photo of Josh Albelda / Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – From a general point of view, it seems that the Ateneo Blue Eagles have won the offseason of the UAAP through their exit successful in Greece, remaining undefeated on the way to victory. Filoil pre-tournament title, supreme reigning in the Basketball Invitational Breakdown, and being chosen to represent the Philippines at the upcoming Jones Cup.

But you can also make the case this summer belonged to the basketball program of the University of the Philippines, which although it did not disputed the last round of the UAAP since 1997, he has already imposed himself as one of the contenders for the collegiate sports league for years to come.

Boasting a young and talented Jun Manzo team, the brothers Gomez De Liaño and Bright Akhuetie, UP have spent the past few months adding to this collection of first-rate recruits by getting commitments from Will Gozum , John Gob, Ricci Rivero, a nd more recently, Kobe Paras.

Imagining the different types of line-up of the UP Bo Perasol head coach in the coming years should give fans of the Maroons a reason to be excited. On paper, this team has all the assets of a training capable of winning multiple championships – even though veteran Paul Desiderio leaves the college ranks after the 2018 season.

There is another aspect that stands out when & # 039; Suddenly UP is examined. Alignment that resembles that of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, or Kentucky Wildcats in the US version of the NCAA.

Gomez De Liaño (Juan), Gozum, Rivero and Paras are all part of the Gilas Cadet Training who have been training together since the beginning of the year and participated in the Filoil Tournament against other collegiate teams. Before the training roster of under-23s was gathered, only Gomez De Liaño – the year's rookie of the UAAP – was engaged at the University of Philippines. Then, like dominoes falling, the rest followed.

It's no secret that the big names in Filipino basketball have known each other since their youngest age. It's not just in college or at the pros when these guys know each other or love to play. Many of them begin to compete in high school, and many of them end up becoming good friends – especially when they come together to represent the country in international competition.

Gozum, who was MVP of the NCAA Junior Division last year with Mapua, admitted that his friendship with the Gomez De Liaño brothers played a big role in his return to the University from the Philippines. With Rivero, who was courted by the contenders after learning that he was leaving De La Salle University, Juan wasted no time in walking the recruiting accelerator for the to convince that his next step was to join the Maroons.

I've been talking to him (Rivero) since [he left]"Juan told Rappler in May." As in practice, I told him "Bro, solid spot mo ( your place would be solid). By the time you play [at UP] it will be you, me, Javi [Gomez De Liaño] Will [Gozum] and Bright [Akhuetie]. "I was [also] talking to him about academics, UP and the cold"

Big name players

After Rivero's shocking decision to move to Katipunan, the players UP have not lost any time to make it known on social networks that they were excited at the idea of ​​the recently rendered Paras. to follow in the footsteps of his father, Benjie, and play his Filipino college career with the Maroons too.

It is also quite safe to assume that during Gilas' practice, Ricci, Juan and Will let Kobe know that they were in the idea of ​​playing UAAP basketball together – in particular, what the collection oozing guy with potential can accomplish as a unit, especially with a foreign recruit like Bright Akhuetie manning the painting.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of making the Fighting Maroons a better basketball team, and the challenge of helping me become a better student," said Paras in a statement once that he has been announced that he was going to move to UP.

He later tweeted:

"I'm not here to hunt a ghost, I'm here to enjoy my life and create my own wave."

What is it about the young Paras, of course, is that it's not trying to replicate Benjie's academic career, which, in addition to being the only player in the history of the PBA to win the rookie of the year and MVP in the same season, also led the Maroons to their last UAAP championship in 1986.

Of course, many quickly pointed out that the recent increase in sponsors Supporting the UP Basketball The program contributes immensely to the way the team was suddenly able to recruit renowned players, which would have been impossible only a few years ago. Guess what? This is true.

So what?

It's not the United States. Money plays absolutely a big role when it comes to college programs recruiting the best players from high school. Ateneo, La Salle and NU would have no championship in recent years if they did not have the sources to collect the best talent compilation. It's not fair to scold UP for counting on contributions from companies like Robinson, Handyman, 3M and nxLED to improve its chances

Craving for Legitimacy

But another trend is starting to rise. While the Blue Eagles and Green Archers remain the favorites for recruitment, programs such as the Bulldogs, Maroons and even Adamson Falcons are catching up. Young people who stand out from high schools and college transfers feel more empowered, allowing them to choose to play alongside their friends.

Is it thanks to social media? Is it because they're watching their idols in the NBA take things in their own hands rather than relying on general managers? Is it because of the advice of their sports agents?

Most likely, it's a mix of everything.

But that's not a bad thing. In fact, it could be just the opposite. Far too many times in the past the talents of future basketball stars have been exploited by schools and managers, so giving these children the opportunity to think and decide for themselves is a step towards a good direction .

As long as they know that their education must remain the top priority – "student" comes before "athlete" in the word student-athlete, after all – these children should have the freedom to carve out the paths for their own

We see it unfold at the UP, and in turn, a hungry basketball program that yearns for legitimacy is about to become one the most feared squads in the Philippines.

Bright Akhuetie. Juan Gomez De Liaño. Javi Gomez from Liaño. Jun Manzo. Will Gozum. Ricci Rivero.

Kobe Paras.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, winning a match in two years deserved to be celebrated with a campfire.

Today, it would be a shame if the Maroons do not earn a UAAP championship sooner rather than later. – Rappler.com