It was destiny.

In what was dubbed the Battle of Katipunan (Ateneo de Manila University/ADMU Blue Eagles versus UP Fighting Maroons), destiny won over dynasty.

After 36 years, the UP Fighting Maroons were hailed the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 basketball tournament champions, dethroning the Blue Eagles in overtime, 72-69, in game three of their championship series on May 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was a seesaw battle between the two teams with the regulation ending at 59 all, sending the game into extra five minutes.

During the overtime, with ADMU up by five points, 69-64, JD Cagulangan buried a three-point shot to cut ADMU’s lead to two, 69-67, still with 1:22 to play. The ADMU failed to convert on their next ball possession leading to a two-handed slam dunk by Malick Diouf from an assist by Cagulangan to even the score with 39.7 seconds left.

Once again, the Blue Eagles failed to score on their ball possession. In the ensuing play, Cagulangan using the screen Diouf provided, buried the cold-blooded winning stepback triple, giving the Fighting Maroons the much anticipated crown.

Diouf, with his impressive performance in the finals averaging 11.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 2 assists, and a block, was named the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Meanwhile, Zavier Lucero and Carl Tamayo were inducted into the “Mythical Five” of the UAAP season 84. Tamayo also bagged the rookie of the year (ROY) award and had the distinction of being the first rookie to be selected as a mythical five member since Jeron Teng of the De La Salle University in 2012. The awarding ceremonies were held before the start of game 2 on May 11.

Historic run. The championship is the third for the Fighting Maroons. UP first won the crown in the 1939-1940 season of the league, a title they shared with the Far Eastern University and the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

In 1986, the triumvirate of Eric Altamirano, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Benjie Paras, under the tutelage of Joe Lipa, gave UP its second title by defeating the then powerhouse University of the East Red Warriors. Altamirano bagged the Finals MVP award that year.

With the institution of the final four format (equivalent to semifinals) in Season 56 (1993-1994), the Fighting Maroons showed some promise by making it in the 1996 and 1997 semifinals. They then failed to advance in the said format from 1998 to 2017, with winless records in 2007, 2010, and 2013.

UP showed some glimmer of hope in 2017 when they finished fifth in the team standing with a 6-8 win-loss record and Juan Gomez de Liaño winning the ROY award.

The Fighting Maroons had the Cinderella-run in 2018 which brought them back to the final four and eventually dismantling the Adamson University Soaring Falcon’s twice-to-beat advantage. UP was able to arrange a showdown with ADMU in the finals, but had to settle for a runners-up award in that season.

In 2019, UP made it again to the final four but eventually lost to UST and settled for a third place.

For this season, UP made its landmark win.

The celebration. The UP community marked the Fighting Maroons’ triumph with a feast and bonfire lighting on May 14, 5 p.m. at the College of Human Kinetics baseball field.

“Lagablab Diliman,” was a warm and fist-raised tribute and thanksgiving for the champions. It was also a simple street party with free-flowing drinks and foods.

Thousands of alumni, faculty members, students, administrative staff, and supporters flocked to the venue in high spirits and eagerly waited to personally meet the champions.

The players were introduced and welcomed to the stage with Noel Cabangon and the crowd singing Queen’s classic song “We are the Champions.”

The team, led by graduating players and co-captains Noah Webb and Ricci Rivero, expressed their appreciation for the UP community’s never-ending support.

UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde also thanked the UP community for always being there and cheering the team through ups and downs.

“Kayo ang naging inspirasyon namin everytime na nasa game kami, at ngayon nakuha na natin ang championship,” he said.

When it was time to light the bonfire, the crowds chanted the “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas” cheer. It was then followed by the singing of “UP Naming Mahal,” which made the whole UP community emotional.