FOR the past two seasons of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), a lot of support has poured in for the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons.
Most of these come from UP alumni like Robina Gokongwei Pe, whose Robina Farms, Robinsons Supermarket and Handyman have “Push(ed) On UP” for years. Other alumni have come in to lend hefty support in cash, kind and service.
The outpouring of support for the Maroons started with a group called #nowheretogobutUP, a concerned and concerted alumni reaction to the dismal showing of UP in UAAP seasons past, black-marked by three winless seasons in 2007, 2010 and 2013. The lowest point of the UP Fighting Maroons life story seems to be the celebration of UP’s lone win over fellow cellar dweller Adamson University in Season 77 (2014). UP went out and toasted that win with a bonfire in the UP Sunken Garden, the heart of the campus reserved for heady, well-deserved celebrations.
Some hailed the win and the cathartic bonfire as a welcome spritz of spring rain after a 27-game losing streak. A few, like then team captain JR Gallarza, regarded it as a pathetic celebration of mediocrity and called for the return of a winning culture to UP, a drive toward a more fitting achievement worthy of UP’s “honor and excellence” motto.
No matter on which side they stood, the UP alumni’s collective heart was touched, if not pierced, by that singular event and what it stood for. Formerly disjointed, individualistic, group-divided and disinterested in UP’s sports program, the alumni rose seemingly as one from that bonfire event and carried the flame, so to speak, inside them.
NowheretogobutUP, rose from the bonfire’s ashes like an “UPrising” and the UP community’s indifference became a thing of the past. Taipan Millan and his wife, Renan Dalisay, Miej Jornacion, Ags Uvero, Mandy Reyes, Dan Matutina, Tony Gloria, Rina and Mike Tan, Aruba Opida, Jason Jorvina, Patricia Galang and Cocoy Mercado institutionalized the group and started a conflagration of support from all sectors that included not just alumni but UP students, staff, faculty and friends of friends of friends of alumni. From the design of a new Fighting Maroons logo to creative fund-raising schemes to the appointment of UP alumnus Bo Perasol and subsequent spirited, strategic recruitment, a feverish drive to make things better for UP began. Things were finally coming together for the UP Fighting Maroons.
But would you believe one of the biggest supporters of UP is an Atenean?
Meet Januarius Jesus (JJ) Atencio, chairman and CEO of his holding company, Januarius Holdings Inc., an asset management company with diversified investments in real estate, equities, venture capital, securities, retail and art. Claiming that his only experience in UP was a swimming class that he joined as a boy one summer, he dove right into the Maroon cause because of his friendship with several UP alumni, UP President Danny Concepcion, Bong Bongolan of Home Guaranty Corp. and former Cavite Gov. Johnvic Remulla, all staunch supporters of the UP Fighting Maroons.
“Out of the blue in one gathering, they asked me if I wanted to support UP. Danny in particular explained to me why I should. I said I would think about it muna, but sinimangutan niya ako the whole party. So toward the end I said, “Sige, okay na, kasi hiningi mo eh.” So that’s how casually it started. Then eventually I got to meet Bo Perasol, Robina Gokongwei, Dan Palami and everybody. They made a presentation and I liked it. So in the end I could not say no to my friends who graduated from UP who asked me to help. So I happily said yes. I wasn’t forced into doing it either.”
“Kasi nga ‘yong story ng UP may pagka-underdog diba? Hindi nananalo. Eh yon yong mga masayang suportahan, diba? I’m a sucker for underdog stories. Kasi nga yong buhay ko parang ganun din ako eh. I was never really voted as the person most likely to succeed. But you know, with hard work, persistence, dedication, integrity, sincerity, God’s prayer.. I identified with the team kasi may potential eh.”
JJ’s support of the team, as he puts it, is very specific, very focused, and measurable. In Season 80 he funded the team’s Las Vegas training at the Impact Basketball Training Camp. This season he did the same for their training in Serbia in a remote village called Novi Sad.
“Iba ang training ng Eastern European basketball,” said JJ. “American basketball tends to be player centric. You have marquee players..and the plays revolve around the marquee players. European basketball is different. They don’t really have superstars but what they have is a lot of plays and a lot of teamwork. It’s a different approach. It’s the same game but it’s a different approach. Physicality is very strong sa Serbian training. [And it also trains your mind.]”
JJ says the team has been very appreciative of his contribution. “And one reason why I chose to support UP is that I know yong konting naitulong ko, ang laki ng impact sa team. Versus, let’s say, we sponsor a winning team. Parang the value that you give is very minimal na lang kasi they are already 99% eh. So whatever you give, you just contribute to the 1%. Eh if the team is not 99, let’s say 80% eh di whatever you give is of a high value, di ba? And you know if you’re lucky and your team wins, eh di you can be happy that you supported the winning cause.”
JJ is happy that he sees progress in the UP Team, never mind that they lost dismally last Sunday to the Far Eastern U Tamaraws. “It’s part of the process. Trust the process,” he said, channeling Joel Embiid. “All I want is for them to play with heart, give their best, not be lazy and show sincerity and hard work. They have a personal appointment with destiny,” he said.
Didn’t he raise a lot of Atenean eyebrows for supporting their Katipunan rival? He did, but he says to him the Atenean mantra of being a “man for others” means reaching out to those who are outside of one’s circle. He wanted to help inspire this underdog team that wanted so badly to win but perhaps lacked the support that others enjoy.
How long will he support the UPMBT? “As long as they want me,” he said, quite solemnly.
What a difference a quirky bonfire makes.