UP Maroons' Inspirational Rise to be Chronicled in New Book

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons surprised pundits by barging into the UAAP men's basketball finals just four years after finishing the annual tournament with just one win—and now one of the rising young sports journalists in the county is going to explain how UP's alumni engineered this amazing turnaround. 

To be penned by columnist Naveen Ganglani, who has extensively covered the Fighting Maroons and the UAAP since 2009, the new book will provide readers with an in-depth look into the events leading to the humble beginnings of Nowhere to go but UP (NTGBU), a group of UP alumni volunteers who dared to believe that they could reinvigorate UP's resource-challenged sports programs. 

"I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to the members of Nowhere to go but UP group, who have given me the opportunity to tell this amazing story," said Ganglani.

The writer, an alumnus of De La Salle University who roots for his Alma Mater’s Green Archers, nonetheless acknowledges that "the rise of the Fighting Maroons in the past five years leading up to their trip to the UAAP Finals is nothing short of phenomenal."

"As an outsider looking in, I hope to convey how the story of a rival school is incredibly inspiring, even to those who do not bleed maroon. I hope to do justice to their story by writing an accurate, comprehensive, well-researched book that will answer many questions about the rise of the Maroons," added Ganglani.

"What were the early challenges the group faced as UP tried to rehabilitate its reputation as one of the UAAP’s cellar-dwellers? What was the motivation behind the bonfire during a one-win campaign which was celebrated in Diliman, but mocked outside of the university’s walls?"

"What led to UP hero and legend Paul Desiderio nearly missing out on the chance to wear the school’s name across his chest? How was a once-in-a-generation talent like Juan Gomez De Liaño brought into the fold? Why was it so important for UAAP MVP Bright Akhuetie to leave a legacy at UP that he chose the school over other suitors? These are just some of the questions the book hopes to answer," shared Ganglani.

Aside from covering the UAAP, Ganglani has also written features and done on-camera reports on the NBA, PBA, FIBA, Philippine Superliga, and many other leagues. In 2015, he was chosen by Nike to be a representative of Southeast Asia to interview Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in his final NBA season. Ganglani also has his own web sports show – Beyond the Sport w/ Navs – and runs a printing business in Manila with his family.

For Ganglani, writing this book on the UP Fighting Maroons’ incredible rise will be the most important project of his career.

“As a sports journalist, my ultimate goal to write a story that can inspire others to rise above themselves, which is what the Fighting Maroons did the last five years with help from the dedicated and passionate UP community. Chronicling that special journey, one that was filled with many unforgettable memories, will be the perfect way to do so,” said Ganglani.

The book, which will be published by the Nowhere to go but UP Foundation, will include exclusive interviews with UP’s coaching staff and players, as well as key alumni from the UP community who helped augment the state university's athletic programs. 

According to NTGBU Chairperson and UP Maroons Manager Atty. Agaton Uvero, "the goal really is to produce a tome that will be enjoyed not only by UP alumni and fans of the Fighting Maroons, but also by those who are looking for motivation to strive for something bigger."

UP Maroons coach Bo Perasol echoed Uvero's sentiments, stressing that "the story of the Maroons is still being written as we speak."

"Nonetheless, UP is in a unique situation as the only state university in the UAAP. As such, its varsity teams face circumstances far different from their counterparts in private schools," said the former Maroon, who graduated from UP Diliman in 1994. 

"It's a very interesting story, and we hope that it will inspire those who face enormous challenges in the pursuit of their ambitions. Nakakaiyak, nakakatawa, nakaka-inspire. Which is why I and the rest or the team are really excited about this project."

PNP to Acquire State-of-the-art 3M Ballistic Helmets in Line with Modernization Program

The ten-year modernization program of the Philippine National Police gained more traction recently with the ceremonial turnover of an enhanced combat helmet and tactical protective eyewear for the police force at the flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame held early October.

3M Philippines President & Managing Director Ariel Lacsamana and Gina  Marie  Angangco,   President  of Armscor Shooting   Center, Inc., and  local partner  of  3M in the defense industry presented plaques to Chief PNP Oscar Albayalde and PNP deputy directors, signifying the full delivery later in the year of the first batch of protective headgear for the police force.

The force has undertaken the upgrading of soldier protection with the 3M ballistic helmets with the objective of becoming a highly capable, effective and credible police service by 2030.

Ceradyne Inc., a 3M company, designed the state-of-the-art, ultra-light 3M™ Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110 which leverages 3M scientific expertise to deliver the highest level of protection for its weight, based on a technology that has already been proven with the U.S. military. The effectiveness of the 3M L110 allows military and police forces to receive greater protection and comfort at an industry leading light weight to more easily and safely complete their missions.

The procurement of an initial 14 thousand ballistic helmets are part of the PNP’s modernization efforts to fulfill its vision of being a highly capable, effective and credible police service that works with the community to create a safer place to live, work and do business. The 3M ballistic helmets are the first of its kind to be delivered by 3M in Asia.

“At 3M, we are committed to providing the most innovative ballistic helmet solutions available and continue to push technology boundaries to save lives,” said Tim Koenig, Vice President & General Manager, 3M Advanced Materials Division and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ceradyne, Inc., in a statement.  “We also have a proven history of producing thousands of helmets that utilize similar technology to the L110.  Our quality and compliance-driven manufacturing has earned 3M a reputation that our customers can trust.”

Ariel Lacsamana, President and Managing Director of 3M Philippines, said “We are a science-based technology company with access to technologies that the US Military trusts. We want to make sure this is available to the Filipino soldiers protecting us – their lives are worth protecting, every life is. This should give our kababayans more confidence in our own soldiers that they are better equipped to protect our safety and security.”

“Credit goes to the PNP for being a visionary in exploring the technologies that will best ensure safety for our police force. 3M stands behind the defense industry and look forward to offering similar state-of-the art protective gear for the armed forces”, continues Lacsamana.

Ms. Angangco added : “Armscor Shooting Center, Inc. is a proud partner of the PNP and 3M. Over the years, Armscor has serviced the pistol and ammo requirements of the PNP. Today, we have taken this partnership forward even more, venturing into the protection of our uniformed personnel. Armscor is honored to be able to provide the PNP with a more integrated solution to its law enforcement mandate in its bid to become a word-class police force.”

3M has operations in about 70 countries where it serves its customers where they are, resulting in valuable direct relationships with 3M at headquarters and support for local customers throughout the process and delivery.

From UP Fight to UP Flight

For a time it looked as if the UP Fighting Maroons had nowhere to go but down.

After the 1986 UAAP championship, UP’s performance in the premiere collegiate league could be described as uneventful, even dismal, save for two seasons back in 1996 and 1997 when the team reached the Final Four.

The UP community grew indifferent. And with a string of bottom-dwelling and sometimes winless seasons in 2007, 2010 and 2013, the community seemingly lost all interest. Recruitment suffered. Aspirations towards a championship fizzled out. The UP Maroons continued to battle in the UAAP, but unlike their competition, they appeared less inspired, playing like boys against men.

Perhaps one reason was that the team operated on a bare-minimum budget. This resulted in so-so recruitment and short-term, season-to-season systems that failed to develop the young players from competitors to winners. Eventually, the once-mighty Maroons of 1986 and the late 90’s lost their winning ways, lacked the will to win and sank into a dismal losing culture. Sad but true, but when the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team was mentioned, the name became synonymous with losing.

So pathetic was the Maroons’ ability to win that in Season 77 in 2014, the team and a community of Maroons fans celebrated their lone win of the season against Adamson U with a bonfire at the UP Sunken Garden. The win had snapped a 27-game losing streak and a loss-soaked 720 days. Some ridiculed UP for celebrating mediocrity with the bonfire. Had the team really sunk so low?

In reality, it was the beginning of a turnaround. Following that bonfire, a UP alumnus posted an article on his Facebook account that bemoaned the sorry state of the UP basketball program, citing hungry athletes, lack of resources including transportation, lack of electricity in their quarters and other woes. The Facebook post became viral. The article sparked outrage, concern, then an outpouring of support from the alumni community. That year UP won just 1 game, but that one game meant everything. It changed the mindset of the players, changed the perception of the UP community towards the athletes and gave birth to the biggest and strongest grassroots support base for the team, the nowheretogobutUP movement. That one game became the spark that started the resurgence of the UP Fighting Maroons.

Four years after that fateful day in 2014, the Maroons have thrived. Thanks to a strong team management and coaching staff. Thanks to exciting recruits and alumni, fans, friends and students who rallied to the cause. Thanks to sponsors, supporters and donors who have given in big and little ways, the improvement in the team with regards to coaching, line-up and performance has grown by leaps and bounds.

Through Seasons 78 through 80, the UP Fighting Maroons have become Final Four contenders once again. The team that celebrated on the basis of just one win is now poised to target the Final Four in Season 81 and, who knows? Maybe even the championship.

The UP Men’s Basketball Team got its biggest break in the off-season with the support and commitment of 3M Philippines. The global science company that never stops inventing and applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily has always believed in talent and most importantly, potential. Ariel Lacsamana, 3M Managing Director and a UP alumnus, said 3M became intrigued with the UP team and its story. Through its long and many struggles, the team never gave up. It kept chipping away at its challenges and solved its problems proudly and creatively. 3M loved the grit and the never-give-up attitude of the UP Fighting Maroons and decided it would take a chance on the UPMBT. It formalized a long-term partnership with the team that will support it through UAAP Season 81 and in other leagues that it would participate in as well.

“This is not the first time we are partnering with educational institutions or talent,” the 3M MD said. “We do what we can to support and provide tools, resources and knowledge. We believe that the UP Men’s Basketball Team is talent worth investing in.”

Come September when the UPMBT faces its most important battle which is UAAP Season 81, the team as well as the entire UP community can’t wait to show how grateful they are for 3M’s faith and generosity. The team will fight to show 3M their trust in the team was all worth it. A new winning tradition is here. There’s #nowheretogobutUP