The biggest game-changer in Game 3 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Finals might not involve any player from ADMU or UP.
The UP Fighting Maroons arguably own the most passionate, most supportive crowd in the UAAP today. In almost every UP game, the maroon shirts in the stands are never outnumbered. Most of them are cheering their guts out in an attempt to will their team to victory.
This takeover began in Season 81, when the Fighting Maroons made their first trip to the Final Four since 1997, and subsequently, their first Finals appearance since 1986. The peak of this fanhood came when the Maroons won their first title in 36 years, during Season 84. The UP fans haven’t looked back since.
Three of the past four UAAP championships have been between ADMU and UP. Naturally, the Eagles have become the biggest recipients of the eardrum-busting chants by the UP faithful.
On the Shoot First podcast, Ateneo Blue Eagles captain BJ Andrade and teammate Dave Ildefonso were very candid in saying how intimidating the UP crowd can be, and at the same time, enjoyable to play in front of.
“Grabe talaga ang crowd ng UP. Sobrang love na love ko talaga to play against UP kasi sila ‘yung ano . . . grabe talaga, natutuwa ako kahit noong NU pa lang ako kasi ‘yung NU wala naman masyadong nanonood sa amin. Pero ‘pag UP, grabe talaga,” Ildefonso revealed.
Andrade recalled an instance in the previous season, when they hoped Blue Eagles fans would at least try to match the energy of the Fighting Maroons faithful.
“Last season, kinailangan namin sila (Ateneo crowd) pero parang kulang. Ang dami talagang UP, bro. Sobrang dami, lalo noong pumapalakpak na sila, sabi ko, 'Ano ‘to?'”
On December 19, inside the Araneta Coliseum, the UP crowd must prove that they are the best sixth man in the UAAP, especially now that the Maroons are going into Game 3 without Zav Lucero. As for the Eagles, blocking out all the noise like they did previously, might just get them their fourth title in five seasons.