UAAP: UP Fighting Maroons dedicate bounce-back win to late coach Ricky Dandan

The UP Fighting Maroons dedicated their big bounce back win over the FEU Tamaraws to the late coach Ricky Dandan who passed away earlier this week.

 

Dandan, who served as assistant to then-head coach Bo Perasol, most recently served as assistant coach to the UP Fighting Maroons during UAAP Season 79 to Season 82 — where his career was highlighted by a finals appearance in Season 81.

 

After the game, veteran guard JD Cagulangan spoke about Dandan’s impact personally, as he met the coach when he first transferred to the Diliman squad back in 2020.

 

[RELATED: UAAP: UP Fighting Maroons get back on track, eliminate FEU Tamaraws from Final Four race]

 

“Sa part ko naabutan ko naman si coach Ricky. Nung early 2020, I think. And, 'yung kapatid niya nakilala ko rin nung nasa LSGH ako which is si Coach Blue. So, nung nabalitaan ko 'yung nangyari sa kanya, nagulat talaga ako,” said Cagulangan, who spearheaded UP’s late-game escape, 86-78. 

 

“'Di ko alam kung ano mararamdaman ko that day kasi nakita ko sa phone ko na nag-pass away na si coach Ricky. Naging mabuti naman din siya sa 'kin so, para sa'kin, ino-offer ko 'tong game na 'to para sa kanya kasi naging player din siya ng UP. So, coach Ricky para po sa iyo to. Rest in peace po.”

 

 

Meanwhile, Gerry Abadiano, who had a game-high 19 points in the win over FEU, alluded to Dandan’s impact to the UP program — as he also handled the Fighting Maroons in a head coaching capacity in the early 2010s.

 

Though his three seasons at the helm ended with only three wins for the Fighting Maroons, Abadiano said that the impact still led to UP’s dominant run in recent UAAP years.

 

“Para sa'kin, 'di ko siya naabutan. Pero sa part siya ng UPMBT, malaking bagay para sa team. Motivation namin. Sabi nga namin ni Maimai, 'yung panalong 'to is para talaga sa kanya. Sa pagiging part niya ng UPMBT, malaking bagay siya para sa'min,” he said.

 

 

Apart from his coaching roles in UP, Dandan also played for State U in the 1980s until 1985 — a year before the Fighting Maroons won their maiden championship in the UAAP.

[RELATED: UAAP: Former UP coach Ricky Dandan passes away]

Prior to tip off, both teams and the audience at the FilOil EcoOil Centre offered a minute of silence for Dandan.

 

 

With the Fighting Maroons gunning for another title since their Season 84 crown in 2022, UP will look to draw inspiration from the veteran tactician.

 

After the news of his death, multiple UP players — including the UPMBT social media — posted tributes to Dandan.