UP coach Rey Madrid warns: a ‘drastic overhaul’ is coming

MANILA, Philippines – As Mikee Reyes’ step-back three-pointer clanked off the rim and the defeat was assured, it served as a symbolic ending for another lost season for the UP Fighting Maroons. 

UP was a better team than the Adamson Soaring Falcons, yet when the final buzzer rang, it was Coach Kenneth Duremdes’ tears that splattered on the ground of the Smart Araneta Coliseum as he celebrated in joy and relief. 

UP finished 1-13, two wins shy of the goal team head coach Rey Madrid guaranteed to achieve prior to the year.

“We fell very short on our expectations. On the goals that we have set so far and, that’s it. I think we fell short,” Madrid said after the game.

He was irritated – and rightfully so. The Maroons had come so close io many occasions. There were the two botched free throws of Reyes that could have sealed the Ateneo game. There was the three-pointer by rookie Diego Dario that gave UP a one-point lead against FEU a few weeks ago before UP let the Tamaraws unleash a 7-0 run out of nowhere to steal the contest.

And then there was Adamson on Tuesday afternoon, September 16. UP was up by 12 after the first quarter before they let the Falcons build a huge lead of their own. Then the Maroons rallied to tie the game at 63, and should have closed it from there. Instead, they squandered another game late in the fourth quarter, 67-63, leading to a depressing ending to Season 77 of the UAAP.

“It’s very disappointing for me, personally, because from the start since we went back to practice after last year, we were really aiming for a better season and I don’t think one win is a better season than no wins,” Reyes said after the game.

“So yung guarantee ni coach (the guarantee of coach) was very doable. We lost by two free throws and one three-point shot. And if I made those, we would have had three wins.”

Other than the game, UP also lost one of their own on Tuesday. In the first half, Henry Asilum went up for a shot and came down with a dislocated shoulder. His season ended in brutal fashion – on a stretcher on the way to the hospital – while his team collapsed on the court.

“When we lost Henry, we talked about it and we said, we have to win it, especially when we heard that he was sent to the hospital,” a disappointing Reyes said.

But they didn’t. There would be no bonfire. No morale-boosting win to end another forgettable campaign. The Fighting Maroons enter another offseason hoping next year will bear better results. Only this time, it won’t be the same usual offseason for UP anymore. Moriah Gingerich is the only player leaving the team after playing all his five years. But he may not be the only one gone.

“For one thing, we need to overhaul. And we have to come up with a more competitive line-up,” Madrid announced. “We need to overhaul and give chances to other players.”

Reyes said he has hope that UP will come back stronger and come back with the roster intact outside of the graduating Gingerich. But taking into account what his coach has stated, it looks like he’s going to be wrong.

“This lineup was formed during the time na wala kaming support (We didn’t have support) and UP was not a destination for student-athletes because very fickle yung support,” Madrid said before being even more straightforward:

“Keeping this lineup and bringing in na ganito lang yung results (bringing in this kind of a result), I think that would not be deserving of the support that we have been getting lately.”

“We (UP) are going to be host (of Season 78). So, there needs to be changes.”

Coach Madrid opted not to specify the changes that will be made beginning next year. Though he did promise there will be new recruits, along with a better UP team.

And he also promised that whatever alterations are made to the UP Fighting Maroons, it will be made without a moment’s hesitation.

“There will be drastic overhauls. In terms of lineup, assignments, and positions. Immediately after the season ito.”

“It’s more about improving our core, because we’ve been a donut for so long. So, we need to improve our core and be more aggressive.”

He continued:

“For the longest time, the UP lineup has been settling. Settle kung ano nalang ito, ano nalang yan (we’ve been settling for whatever is there). But as of late we have been very aggressive in trying to make-up, assemble a team that could be competitive.

No longer will the UP Maroons settle for moral victories and one-win seasons. They wanted support to make up a competitive team that will avoid being a cellar-dweller, and now they have it. But with that comes certain consequences. Guys will be cut. Not everyone will return. Changes will be made and not all will be in favor of it. But it will be necessary.

As Coach Madrid succinctly states: “There will be drastic overhauls.”

And to the players hoping to still wear a UP uniform next season?

“Wala akong mabibigay na guarantee,” he said.

(I can’t give any guarantees.) – Rappler.com