University of the Philippines team captain Gerry Abadiano against De La Salle University in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals. Photo from UAAP Media. MANILA — When University of the Philippines found itself in peril, it was captain Gerry Abadiano who once again took charge to save the Fighting Maroons’ campaign.
The star senior scored six of his 17 points down the stretch to steer State U to a 66-63 victory over De La Salle University in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Finals on Sunday, with Abadiano eager to extend his collegiate career to one last game.
READ: Abadiano takes over as UP outlasts La Salle to force do-or-die Game 3
“Last year ko na, so hindi naman ako papayag na hindi ko ibigay yung best effort ko,” said the 24-year-old. “Gusto ko lang talaga manalo, and nagkataon na yung mga shots ko, pumapasok.”
From playing backup to the likes of CJ Cansino and JD Cagulangan during their Season 84 title run to eventually becoming one of UP’s main guns in its Season 87 championship campaign, Abadiano has always been vital to the Diliman-based school’s success.
And while one of his motivations is to help sustain the winning program he has helped build at UP, Abadiano said he is also driven by a desire to pay it forward — something his former seniors once did for him.
“Hindi lang naman sa aming mga nasa last year na, pati mga rookies namin, ganoon na rin yung mindset,” he said. “Hindi na rin sila papayag na ibigay na lang basta-basta yung panalo.”
With that foundation in place heading into Abadiano’s final collegiate game — and the deciding chapter of the UP–La Salle trilogy — the Fighting Maroons are focused on applying the same approach as they chase history: the first-ever successful title retention by UP in UAAP men’s basketball.
“Dikdikan na talaga yan. Patayan na talaga sa Game 3,” said Abadiano. “Palakasan na talaga yan, kung sino ang mas gusto manalo.”
The clincher is set for Wednesday, December 17, at 3:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.