The University of the Philippines (UP) community gathers for a celebratory bonfire at the UP Sunken Garden in UP Diliman Quezon City on December 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- A warm welcome awaited the champion sports teams of the University of the Philippines on Monday night.
Fresh from winning the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball championship, a bonfire was lit up once again, two years after the celebration in May 2022.
Back then, the UP community celebrated the end to a three-decade long drought for the title's return to Diliman.
This year, the sea of maroon gave thanks to not just one champion team but to three.
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The program was initially scheduled for 7 pm, but ended up starting two hours later.
Some fans were in the area as early as 5 pm to secure a good spot, including third year Anthropology students, who are big fans of the men's basketball team.
"Buti nalang nanalo, ito na ulit. Two times na si JD [Cagulangan] yung nag-clutch ulit. Good ending yun for him," Yani De Guzman said.
"It's been awhile. Simula first year kami inaabangan namin na manalo ulit UP and maranasan namin yung bonfire. Yung pagkapanalo ng basketball team hindi lang para sa mga atleta ng bayan, for the whole UP community," Ayen Siason shared.
Communication Research graduate Charles Bautista, who entered UP after the championship with Benjie Paras, was waiting for another chance to join in festivities.
"After 30 plus years of graduating from UP, it's my first time to watch a bonfire event… I'm proud of the UP spirit," he said.
"Ang La Salle magaling din ah. I guess we're doing something right… kaya tayo nananalo," Bautista added.
Danie Cando, a recent graduate from UP, went straight to Diliman after work.
"Gusto kong mapanood yung bonfire. After so many years, naredeem ng UP yung kanilang sarili. Sobrang happy ko ngayon, sobrang nakakaproud yung UP. Thank you sa team," she said.
The UP Pep Squad kicked off the program, followed by messages from UP Chancellor Edgardo Vistan and UP President Angelo Jimenez.
"We're thankful for all the fans who gave moral support to our teams. Congratulations and thank you. This night is for you," Vistan said.
Jimenez said the UP community faced a lot of challenges this year. But he believes the journey of the Fighting Maroons, especially on the hard court, showed "the spirit of the university."
The UP men's basketball team, men's track and field team and women's badminton team faced thousands of students, alumni, and fans at the Sunken Garden.
All squads thanked the UP community for their unwavering support.
Former UP head coach and now Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol called his players one by one, even teasing Francis Lopez in his introduction.
"Manalo, matalo. Mag-mintis si Francis o maka-shoot ng three points, andun pa rin kayo," he jokingly said.
Finals MVP JD Cagulangan shared the story of his journey to Diliman.
"Bago po ako pumunta ng college, lima po kami sa pamilya kasama si Tito Frank. Anim po sila gusto nila akong mag-UP. Pero pinili ko mag La Salle. Pero after ng nangyari sa akin doon, hindi ganun kaganda pero winelcome parin ako ng UP," he shared.
"Thankful ako sa inyong lahat, sa UP community. Manalo man o matalo nandun po kayong lahat para sa amin. Kaya deserve na deserve niyo ang championship," Cagulangan added.
Team captain Gerry Abadiano likewise expressed their gratitude to the community.
"Gusto ko lang on behalf sa team namin, gusto namin magpasalamat ng sobra sobra sa lahat ng suporta na binibigay niyo sa team namin," Abadiano said.
"Na-short tayo ng last two season, pero itong season nakuha natin yung championship. Para sa inyo talaga yung championship," he added.
Lopez made light of his miscues in Game 2, thanking his team for still believing in him.
"Sa wakas nakuha na natin ang kampeon. I wanna thank them lagi silang nasa likod ko kahit may mga bashers. Thank you sa lahat sa inyo. Next year we will get it again, we will try our best," he said.
The UP community cheered and sang the UP Naming Mahal following the lighting of the bonfire. The night sky also lit up with a fireworks display followed by a concert.
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