UP Maroons looks forward to final four stint

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MANILA — After recently ending their 27-losing streak, the University of the Philippines (UP) Maroons aims to get a slot in the Final Four of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) senior basketball category.

For this season, the team set a practical three-win target getting their first one at the expense of the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 77-64.This drew a large amount of support, prompting the Maroons’ team manager Dan Palami to think of bigger goals for the Maroons.

“Now that we have a lot of supporters coming in, we’re looking at the long-term. “[The semifinals] will be the target because UP is the host next year so we need to do better.”

He added rebuilding the Maroons team already started. The team holds a poor record over the course of eight seasons with only 10 wins out of 105 games played.

“Of course we’re looking at strengthening the current crop of players as well as looking at new players,” said Palami. He also shared that the team already sent “competent people to identify talent” overseas.

More work lies ahead and a lot is still expected from him, according to Palami. Many supporters are waiting for him to do what he did to help raise the Philippine football team Azkals.

“I think that’s the reason they invited me to manage the team—whatever I did for the Azkals, they hope I can do for the Maroons,” said Palami. “But I told them it’s not magic, it’s just hard work. We have to make sure we have a strong team, recruitment program and proper organization.”

More than aiming for a slot in the Final Four, the immediate goal of the team is to start the second round of eliminations in a positive note.

Palami said that the first win against Adamson is important in starting their momentum.

“I think we’ll just concentrate on getting that second win,” he added.