The University of the Philippines community filled the University Theater in UP Diliman last September 8 for its annual Pep Rally – an energetic send-off for more than 20 varsity teams competing in UAAP Season 88. 

The basketball tournament will officially kick off on September 20 at the campus of the host school, the University of Santo Tomas, at their Quadricentennial Pavilion. The UP Men’s Basketball Team is set to open their campaign on the following day, September 21st, Sunday. 

This year’s Pep Rally began with a solemn prayer led by Jayvee Ferrer from the UP Men’s Judo Team, followed by rousing cheers from the UP Varsity Pep Drummers. Their beats carried the crowd through the iconic chants of “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas” and “Fighting Maroons,” shouted with full force by athletes, students, alumni, officials, and guests alike. 

The night’s energy surged when last season’s champions, the UP Streetdance Club, fired up the dance floor with the perfect dance routine to kick off the three-hour event.

Throughout the evening, the audience was treated to spirited performances from across State U’s varsity line-up, including the UP Men’s & Women’s Basketball Teams, UP Track and Field Team, UP Badminton Varsity Team, UP Men’s & Women’s Chess Teams, UP Baseball Team, UP Softball Team, UP Fencing Team, UP Esports Varsity Team, UP Filipiniana Dance Group, UP Men’s & Women’s Football Teams, UP Men’s & Women’s Judo Teams, UP Varsity Swimming Team, UP Table Tennis Team, UP Tennis Team, UP Taekwondo Team, UP Beach Volleyball Team, and the UP Men’s & Women’s Volleyball Teams.

Inspiring speeches for the athletes and the UP community came from UP Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jose Carlo G. de Pano, UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Deputy Head Moriah Gingerich, UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol, and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio.

Vice Chancellor De Pano emphasized on the importance of embodying “Honor and Excellence,” even on the court. Meanwhile, Director Perasol, Coach Mo, and Chairman Gregorio gave words of motivation to the athletes and encouraged the ever-passionate UP community to continue rallying behind the teams as they aim for glory in UAAP Season 88.

In recognition of the Fighting Maroons’ achievements in the previous season, the Nowhere To Go But UP foundation awarded cash prizes to podium finishers:

• Bronze (awarded with PHP 10,000 each): Men’s and Women’s Lawn Tennis, Men’s Badminton, Men’s Swimming, Women’s Track and Field, Women’s Fencing, Men’s Chess Blitz, Men’s Football

• SIlver (awarded with PHP 20,000 each): Softball, Men’s Chess, Women’s Swimming, Men’s Fencing, Men’s Judo

• Gold (awarded with PHP 30,000 each): Streetdance Club, Men’s Basketball Team, Women’s Badminton Team, Men’s Track and Field

To close the program, the UP Pep Squad brought the house down with their signature high-energy performance, once again backed by the thunderous beats of the UP Varsity Pep Drummers. Then, UP Naming Mahal was passionately drummed by the UPVPD with the crowd of thousands singing along with their right fists raised. 

Now that the athletes were sent off by the UP-faithful, the Fighting Maroons now turn their focus to UAAP Season 88. The festivities begin with the UAAP Opening Ceremony on September 19, Friday, at the University of Santo Tomas. The event features a Eucharistic Celebration at the Quadricentennial Pavilion at 2:00 PM, the Opening Ceremonies at 6:00 PM at the Grandstand and Open Field, and a Hope Concert at 8:00 PM in the same venue.