UAAP: UP Maroons captain admits: 'We would go to practice na gutom kami'

 

The Fighting Maroons basketball team were the toast of the University of the Philippines community this past weekend after they ended a 27-game losing spell in the UAAP with a victory over Adamson last Saturday.

 

The celebration culminated with a bonfire celebration at the Sunken Garden at the Diliman campus, where students, alumni, and supporters gathered to show their appreciation.

 

But the show of love was a far cry from the past, as members of the Fighting Maroons opened up about the lack of support for the team during an interview on "News to Go" on Monday.

 

According to team captain Moriah Gingerich, an American national who grew up in the Philippines, the situation for the team was dire before the entry of alumni supporters Dan Palami and Renan Dalisay.

 

"Before dumating sila Boss Dan, sila Sir Renan, sa 'min, medyo there were times na wala kaming allowance, wala kaming meals na provided para sa amin," said Gingerich, a son of American missionaries who came to the Philippines in 1999.

 

"Minsan nga we would go to practice na gutom kami, walang pangkain. But thankfully because of the support of the alumni and other sponsors, more people wanna support the team so sana tuloy-tuloy na ang suporta."

 

But UP coach Rey Madrid, who took over the team midway through last season's winless run, remained positive that the situation will continue to improve.

 

"I believe that will happen soon and support will pour in. Once they know the value of a win can cost so much in terms of support, effort, and everything," said Madrid.

"Marami kaming alumni na willing to help but mag-o-open lang kami ng channels for them to come in. I think meron na kaming mechanism for them to come." — JST, GMA News