‘Champs already?’ UP coach, players celebrate Final Four entry in rowdy viral vid

October 28, 2019 - 1:15 PM
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Sunday’s basketball match between the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University was indeterminable until the last three seconds.

For the DLSU Green Archers, it was a do-or-die game that could throw them out the playoffs and land below the Final Four. For the UP Fighting Maroons, it was a step up the rankings and closer to that elusive championship.

The clash at Antipolo’s Ynares Centerโ€”described anywhere from “thrilling” to a “cardiac arrest”โ€”closed with narrow 71-68 finish for UP.

Then players and Coach Bo Perasol headed to the locker room. What ensued was the most rambunctious celebration of the UP Men’s Basketball Team caught on camera: topless players attacking Perasol with a group hug, Perasol jumping up and down, everybody being doused with water (or is that energy drink?).

The new recording prompted some social media users to ask: Are they already champions?

UAAP Season 82’s undefeated Ateneo Blue Eagles know the Maroons have a long way to go.

Twitter user @_jaggiegregorio, one of those who took the video, recalled that the celebration was similar to last year’s bash upon the Fighting Maroons’ entry to the Final Fourโ€”the first for the team in almost four decades.

โ€” Lead video released by the UP Fighting Maroons