Current UP women cagers a throwback to UAAP Season 71 squad, says coach

MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons’ attitude and team culture this year is reminiscent of the squad that started the UAAP women’s basketball tournament with five straight wins 15 seasons ago, head coach Paul Ramos said.

The Maroons defeated the UST Tigresses, 73-69, in overtime Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena to stretch their Season 86 record to 5-0.

Ramos, who was also part of the team staff for UP in UAAP Season 71, said that the same fight he saw 15 seasons ago is the same in the eyes of the current UP players.

“The attitude and the team culture, the same. I experienced that and I’m glad to be part of that time back in the day, 2008 I think. Back in the day, they had the same fight, the things that I see in the girls’ eyes right now, I saw that back in the day,” the head coach told reporters after the game.

“That was also the fuel of our performance this coming season,” he added.

Ramos also said that they are looking back in their recent history, not just the highs but also the lows.

“In the end, who we are right now is because of who we were before. We were learning from them, and now, we’re just trying to use the positives on what we have learned,” he said.

Ramos also relished his first win over UST head coach Haydee Ong since he was hired as UP’s chief tactician.

“Since the start of our campaign, I have not beaten Coach Haydee yet. And Coach Haydee’s program is very, very commendable, and I feel like they brought the best out of these girls and us coaches.”

UP is on top of the standings in women’s play and will go for its sixth straight win against La Salle on Wednesday.