University of the Philippines' Harold Alarcon. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Ever since entering the UAAP seniors basketball, Harold Alarcon has always been in the finals.
And with another championship round appearance on the line, Alarcon stayed composed and led the Maroon side in scoring, tallying 22 points to go with two rebounds and a steal.
In a wild finish, the State U got through past University of Santo Tomas, 82-81, in the UAAP Season 88 collegiate men's basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Alarcon shared how all these experiences forged him into the battle-tested warrior that he is now—it was his UAAP seasons that were pushed to the limit, advancing to the finale each and every time.
READ: UAAP: UP edges UST in cardiac finish to advance to 5th straight Finals
"Parang ano lang siya, ma-experience mo siya as a player, marunong ka na mag-handle ng mga gano'ng sitwasyon. Sa five years ko dito sa UP, 'yun nga, nakalimang finals din ako. Parang, 'yung composure andiyan, 'yung maturity andiyan, sa mga experience, ups and downs mo talaga siya nakukuha," said the UP guard.
What makes this final appearance more meaningful is that it is his last playing year in the league, having exhausted all of his eligibility.
READ: UAAP: Full-force La Salle flexes might, pushes National U to do-or-die
"For me naman siguro, special siya para sa 'kin kasi alam mo 'yun, parang every game, 'di na ulit kami makakabalik next season, so 'yun nga, kung ano 'yung pinapakita namin ngayon, ibibigay lang namin lahat," said Alarcon.
Their approach to the upcoming finals would be the same, at least for Alarcon.
"'Yun nga, may goal kami pero siguro, harapin lang namin 'yung day by day na process papunta dun sa finals. Stay present lang kami always, gano'n 'yung tinuturo sa 'min," he said.
The Fighting Maroons will play either National University or De La Salle University in the best-of-3 Finals.