By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
36 years of darkness.
Three decades of heartbreak.
Finally, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are once again champions of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament since clinching their first title in 1986.
It was one of the most highly-competitive and close grand finals duels as the Fighting Maroons nipped the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 72-69, during the win-or-go home UAAP Season 84 Game 3 men’s basketball tournament.
From UP legend Paul Desiderio’s famous “Atin to” mentality, Joel Cagulangan simply embodied what it really meant for the community and can finally continue with: “Atin na talaga to.”
The savvy point guard was a man on a mission during Game 3 and was responsible for the four biggest plays in UP men’s basketball history.
Down by four with two minutes left in overtime, Cagulangan converted a clutch layup to stay within striking distance and cut Ateneo’s lead to just two, 64-66.
Ateneo’s lead grew again to five points after Gian Mamuyac drilled a corner three-pointer that put the pressure back to the Fighting Maroons.
With the shot clock running down and UP needing a basket, Cagulangan perfectly timed an offensive rebound off a Malick Diouf miss, went to the right elbow, and rose up for a difficult three-pointer with 1:23 remaining in overtime.
After a UP defensive stop and Ateneo still leading by two with 44 seconds left, Cagulangan called for a pick-and-roll play with Diouf and dimed him the ball for an easy dunk, which tied things up at 69 all.
Dave Ildefonso had the chance to put Ateneo ahead but his fade-away jump shot at the top of the key was strong which put the last offensive possession back to UP.
With 16 seconds remaining on the clock, Cagulangan slowed things down, gathered his guys, directed the traffic and started to attack with six seconds left in overtime.
After calling for a screen from Diouf, Cagulangan quickly shifted to the left elbow. With Kouame sagging off, Mamuyac had to catch the UP guard.
It was three seconds left to redefine UP.
Three seconds to put the Maroons back on top of the UAAP and the chance to end the dynasty of the Blue Eagles who were gunning for a historic four-peat championship campaign.
As Mamuyac came chasing him, Cagulangan chose to sidestep to his left to create more space and separation and guess what?
Cash, money, bang!
Cagulangan’s three-pointer won the game for the Fighting Maroons to finally end 36 years of heartbreak for the UP community.
Aside from Cagulangan’s clutch performance, Diouf, Ricci Rivero, CJ Cansino, James Spencer, Harold Alarcon, Zavier Lucero, and Carl Tamayo all provided quality minutes for head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Cansino, who was ruled out indefinitely due to a knee injury, also sank one of the biggest baskets during the win and swished in a three-point bank shot to help UP tie things with Ateneo, 59-all, with 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
