UAAP: Five years later, Reyes shines for UP once more

Mikee Reyes was the hero of the University of the Philippines in its 77-64 win against Adamson University, exploding for career-high 28 points despite missing the last three minutes of the game due to cramps.

It was the first win of the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP after a 27-game losing streak, but for Reyes, the victory drought was much longer. 

Reyes is best remembered for his part in the Maroon upset of De La Salle University in Season 72 in which he waxed hot for 25 points, a personal feat only topped by his performance on Saturday.

Asked by reporters as to what tasted better, the victory against La Salle in 2009 or this year's win against Adamson, Reyes opted to highlight the difference between the two:

"2009, against La Salle - that was a whole different story kasi [La Salle] Greenhills ako nung high school. Siyempre you want to prove something."

Reyes eventually decided the DLSU game tasted better, but acknowledged the gravity of beating Adamson for the team's first win this season after almost two years of losing.

"Mas masarap 'yung [La Salle], but then this is really big kasi 'championship game' e," Reyes said, joining the fray of those ironically calling the battle of the winless as a "championship."

Both UP and Adamson had yet to barge into the win column prior to the game, hoping to finally nail their first victory when they played against a fellow cellar-dweller.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Reyes faced an elated UP crowd and raised his hands, as if telling them to wait a little bit more for the victory that was to finally come.

By that time, the Maroon guard already scored most of his 28 points.

"Nagulat ako it happened with a win pa, so it makes it sweeter," Reyes said of his stellar performance.

"If it happened on a loss, I wouldn't be here right now," he added, referring to the post-game press conference.

Despite his solid game, Reyes remained modest and credited the entire team for their composure and effort.

"Hopefully we gained confidence for our next game. But right now, bonfire muna tayo," Reyes said.

At the end of the game, Reyes faced the UP crowd once more and proudly grabbed the front of his jersey and waved it like a banner, as if to show the name of his beloved university for everyone to see. - RAF, GMA News