Humblebola

By Kyle Reiner Pineda

UAAP Season 88 hosted by University of Santo Tomas emphasizes the theme “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action”. In this preview series, HumbleBola will feature how the teams have moved to strengthen their chances of gaining victory and the hope that these actions bring.

Action starts: September 20, 2025

The UP Fighting Maroons have reached the Finals every season of the 2020’s era. Despite their success, they have yet to win back-to-back championships. Can they finally do it in UAAP Season 88?

The defending champions are coming into the season as favorites to win the title again, but not without turmoil and turnover. Their title defense will need to be done without several of their key players such as QMB, Francis Lopez, Aldous Torculas, and JD “Maymay” Cagulangan who have either used up their playing years, opted to move up to the professional ranks early or play for a different team.

This year’s squad will need find the right formula of “talent, chemistry, and luck” to repeat as champions amidst a growingly competitive landscape. This roster is stacked from top to bottom but it will be up to Coach Goldwin Monteverde to fit in new players amidst an already tight rotation with Former UE Mythical 5 guard Rey Remogat, US recruit in Miguel Yniguez, and two comeback stories in Joshua Coronel and L.A. Andres who were previously sidelined with injuries.

This roster is set up for the present and the future with many seniors being guards while the forwards have more playing years to come. Expect Harold Alarcon to take over scoring and ball-handling duties while Fortea, Abadiano, and Felicida continue to hound other UAAP guards on defense. Mark Belmonte and Sean Alter will want to make continued strides inside, having had sparks of greatness in the UAAP Finals versus the DLSU Green Archers.

6’9 Nigerian Center Francis Nnoruka made a strong case for the FSA role in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup over last year’s candidate Oikachi Udodo.

On paper, you know what this team is capable of both on offense & defense. It will now come down to the intangibles and “luck” (injuries, chemistry, 50/50 balls) that make going back-to-back very hard to accomplish in the UAAP.

So UP fans can expect to have a fun season ahead but don’t expect it to be easy. Have high expectations but enjoy the ride as this team finds its identity throughout the season.

Prediction: UP starts the season steadily sans a few hiccups as they find their chemistry and rotation. Watch for Coach Gold to find his Plan A, B, C as well as a solution inside the paint.

Result: First Runner-Up