Palawan Express Pera Padala gives back to UP through the Fighting Maroons

From a single pawn brokering shop in Palawan in 1985 to the fastest growing and leading pawnshop and money remittance network in the Philippines, Palawan Express Pera Padala strongly identifies with the UP Fighting Maroons.

For more than three decades, UP’s performance in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has been sub-par, with only one basketball championship to boast of in the post-war era. For many years, there were winless seasons, empty galleries, less than spartan team funds.

But last year, the University of the Philippines defied expectations by carving a storybook finish in the premiere collegiate league. There were no more tears shed from three different seasons of dismal 0-14 win-loss records. No more lack of team supporters. Against all odds, including a doubtful 1-3 start, the Maroons finally found a way to start winning. They suddenly barged into the semi final round of UAAP Season 81 with hard work, big hearts and a little bit of luck. In fact, the Maroons surprised even themselves when they eliminated twice-to-beat Adamson University from finals contention. And found themselves in the UAAP Finals for the first time in 32 years, against the mighty Ateneo Blue Eagles in the most surprising Finals scenario in ages.

Viewing parties at different campuses were hosted. The UP community rallied behind their soldiers on-court, win or lose. UP fandom grew to phenomenal numbers and the once lowly UP Fighting Maroons became the Cinderella team of Season 81, the darlings of the crowd.

Logistical support for the UP Fighting Maroons reached an unprecedented height in Season 81. The Maroons’ performance in the UAAP seemed to be a Thank You from the team to its partners and supporters for their faith and unconditional love.

In Season 82 even more support came in. Palawan Express Pera Padala (PEPP) came on board as a platinum sponsor to provide not only financial support to the UPMBT, but more importantly to give back to the University, recognizing that helping the UPMBT brings together the UP Community. The founders of PEPP Bobby and Angelita Castro have deep roots in UP and all of their five children are UP alumni. To the family who are certified UPMBT fans, this is more than a sponsorship. This is becoming a part in UP’s quest for the championship.

Alumni and ardent supporters of the UP Men’s Basketball Team all over to the Philippines and around the world could use the PEPP platform to send in donations to the UPMBT through its local and international remittance transactions. For alumni based abroad, PEPP has partnered with 50 international money transfer companies (IMTC) to enable it to payout the money remittance transactions based on IMTC’s instructions. An instant rebate of Php5 is given to the beneficiary when an international remittance is claimed at PEPP.

UP Fighting Maroon Season 82 team captain Noah Webb said, “We would like to thank our sponsors like Palawan Express Pera Padala and the entire UP community. You guys don't know how much we appreciate each and everyone of you and your presence at the games. I know what it's like to see the stands empty and I'm extremely grateful that now they are always full. Thank you for your help in and out of the games. We are grateful for your support.”

The UP Fighting Maroons and Palawan Express Pera Padala officially inked their partnership before the start of Season 82.

STATS Performance Apparel is official UP Fighting Maroons Outfitter and Merchandise Company

STATS Performance Apparel, an athleisure brand under Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI), expanded its support for the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) for University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82. Besides the official on-court and off-court wear of the basketball team, STATS will also produce the official merchandise of the UP Fighting Maroons. JHI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) JJ Atencio (left-most), JHI Chief Operating Officer Marcy Venezuela (right-most), STATS Performance Apparel CEO and Art Director Edrin Panganiban (second from right) officially sealed their partnership on Wednesday, April 24 with Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation (NTGBUP), a volunteer group of UP alumni supporting UP’s varsity programs led by its President, Atty. Agaton Uvero (center) at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman. Also present at the signing ceremony were UP Head Coach Bo Perasol, UAAP Season 81 MVP Bright Akhuetie, Janjan Jaboneta, Noah Webb, and the Gomez de Liaño brothers, Juan and Javi.

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."

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

UP Fighting Maroons renews partnership deal with Nxled

Nxled, the leader in next generation lighting, renewed its support for the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team for University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81. The lighting and fixtures company designed for longevity and breakage-resistance committed to help UP breed the next generation of champions and be a part of its bright future. Nxled executive vice president Catherine Tiu-Tan, UP chancellor Michael Tan, and officials of Nowhere To Go But UP Foundation (NTGBUP) -- a volunteer group of UP alumni supporting UP’s varsity programs led by its president, Atty. Agaton Uvero -- officially renewed their partnership by signing a new Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Tuesday, July 10 at Quezon Hall of the University of the Philippines Diliman. Also present at the signing ceremony were UP head coach Bo Perasol and his coaching staff, the UP Fighting Maroons and another UP MBT major backer, Ms. Robina Gokongwei-Pe, president, CEO and director of Robinson Retail Holdings, Inc.

*This is Press Release