It was a historic bronze medal that awaited the UP Women’s Basketball Team (UPWBT) at the end of the UAAP Season 86, as they managed to clinch a podium position after securing their first Final Four spot in 15 years. 

After ending the eliminations with only two losses to their name, the UPWBT went on to face the UST Growling Tigresses for a chance at a finals berth against the NU Lady Bulldogs. While the UPWBT managed to force a do-or-die game against the Growling Tigresses, they lost by a narrow four-point margin. Despite this, the team still brought home accolades to the University, including the bronze medal and a Rookie of the Year title for Favour Onoh. Onoh, who managed to set a league record of 30 rebounds in the game that rendered the Growling Tigresses’ twice-to-beat advantage null, was also named Week 1 “Player of the Week” by the Collegiate Press Corps.

Other heavy hitters for the team included Louna Ozar and Camille Nolasco, who recently joined the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s roster for the 43rd William Jones Cup in Taipei; Kaye Pesquera and Christie Bariquit, who were crucial players in securing the WBT’s Final Four spot in their game against FEU; and Achrissa Maw, who also represented the team in the UAAP 3×3 tournament.

Along with the memories of the playing season as a whole, individual moments also stood out to the team. For Rookies Carla Mendoza and BB Mendiola, it was seeing their jerseys for the first time that cemented itself as a core memory.

“Di pa ako officially part ng team noon, pero sila coach yung naginsist na maglaro ako last [Sulit Breakdown Basketball Tournament],” expressed Mendoza in an interview. “Parang that day, my first game playing for UP, biglang inabot ni [Coach K] yung jersey ko, and then yun yung best memory ko, playing for UP.”

“I feel like my best memory so far for UP […] is the moment when we got to see our first jerseys for the UAAP season,” said Mendiola. “[…] It was really different, like the feeling. I felt like, ‘Wow, I’m really here. I’m really playing.’”

Newly-committed Fighting Maroon AJ Castro also shared her favorite memory with the team, prior to her first official playing season. “My best memory here in UP was the day I stepped [on] the campus of UP,” she said. “My best memory was walking into the gym, [and] I just felt the fresh air of the gym. Meeting them as well, that’s my best memory.”

As Season 87 draws near, the team aims to improve on their previous standing. To achieve this, they emphasize the value of being able to handle pressure, as well as the different ways they do it. 

“Sa akin, focus lang ako kung ano man yung nangyayari sa loob ng court,” said Bariquit. “Kase once na maraming boses na pumapasok sa isip mo, di mo na alam, parang sasabog ka, mawawala ka sa kung ano man yung focus mo. […] Iniisip mo kase kung ano yung sinasabi nila sa’yo […] so for me, kailangan mo lang maging focus [sa]  game, kung ano man yung pinapagawa sa’yo, gagawin mo.”

“May isa kaming constant sa team: ‘Stay in the moment,’” added Maw. “‘Wag mong isipin yung kahapon, mamaya, just ngayon. […] Yung  nakikita mo, yun lang, dun ka lang mag-focus.”

“I focus a lot on my teammates — the tiwala of the team — because without trust on the team, then, you’re done for,” remarked Castro. “[…] If each player has trust in each other, then the game will be much easier, your confidence — and that’s how you prepare for a big game.”  

The UPWBT drive and determination is sure to serve as inspiration for younger athletes who wish to follow in their footsteps. But the team is quick to point out that talent won’t be enough to get to that coveted place at the top. 

“The further you go, the higher the competition,” admitted Mendiola. “So, obviously, there’s gonna be lots of ups and downs, not everyday is going to be a happy day, not everyday is going to be a great day, so you just have to keep trusting yourself, keep that competitive fire, and keep motivating yourself […] to achieve your goals and dreams.”

“Same lang siguro sa sinabi ni [Mendiola], parang siguro, iba yung intensity ng college basketball sa [high school]. So dapat mas may i-lolook up ka sa sarili mo,” agreed Mendoza.

The team environment is also a pivotal factor in a young athlete’s success, according to Castro. “You can’t go into a winning team, pero yung energy ng players nila is so rude, mean […]  You should rather go to a team [with] better attitudes, better coaches, [better] mindset. Kase that will push you ‘eh. Even if you guys [don’t win all the time], at least you’re with great people around you. So, I’d say, yung mga surroundings mo, look for that.”

Settling for less is not something a part of Maw’s vocabulary, and she urges aspiring athletes to be the same. “Sa akin, yung di pagiging kuntento sa isang bagay. Like, pag nakapasok ka na sa [lahat ng bagay], it’s an opportunity, but katumbas yan ng maraming responsibilities.So kailangan mo lang maging ready all of the time, 100%.”

Finally, Bariquit is adamant that young athletes should be fearless in showcasing the best of their abilities. 

“‘Wag kang matakot ipakita yung skills mo,” she said. “Once na matakot ka kase, nawawala yung opportunity na nandyan na sana sa harap mo at pinakawalan mo. Sa huli magsisisi ka na parang, ‘Sana grinab ko yung opportunity sa harap ko. Sana kasama ko ang team na ‘to.’ I think, go hard lang din. Kagaya ng sinabi ni Maw, wag kang makontento na once makapasok ka diyan sa schools, [dapat] gutom ka pa sa learnings, gutom ka para mag-improve as a person and with the surroundings na [meron ka].”

The UAAP Season 87 will officially begin on September 7, 2024. The UPWBT will be among the athletes competing in the first semester games, where they strive to command the court once more, eyeing a chance at a bigger title for the University of the Philippines.

Learn more about the UP Women’s Basketball Team (UPWBT) on #HypeUp, available now on the UP Fight Club’s YouTube page. Watch Part 1 and Part 2 here.