A scan of the UAAP Season 87 statistics through October 30 reveals one thing: Different members of the UP Fighting Maroons can be found leading statistical categories. 

JD Cagulangan was second in the MVP race in the first half of Season 87 and should be in the top 10 by the end of the elimination round despite sitting out two games. Francis Lopez has been a menace in the paint because of his UAAP-leading field goal percentage (58.33 percent). Terrence Fortea has lived up to his billing as a deadeye shooter as he is currently leading the league in 3-point shooting (41.7 percent on 36 attempts on the season). Quentin Millora-Brown is among the league leaders in rebounds and block shots, providing the defensive anchor the Fighting Maroons missed with the departure of Malick Diouf. 

These speak to the talent UP has accumulated since they put more order in the Fighting Maroons management. Unlike a decade ago when UP was a place to settle for, players now want to come to join the Fighting Maroons. Those that make the team certainly have something to bring to the table, but UP’s strengths are on full display when you look at the bigger picture. 

UP is second in the UAAP in terms of points scored and points allowed, much of that because of their mastery in the paint. Of course, their key players are also among the best interior operators, but what makes the Fighting Maroons a tough matchup is that they can sustain this effort. They have the UAAP’s best scoring bench, with their 41.8 points per game besting the second-best team, the NU Bulldogs, by more than five points. 

The Ateneo Blue Eagles were the latest team to be on the receiving end of UP’s onslaught. Early on, the Blue Eagles had control of the game, but that disappeared when the Fighting Maroons found their groove. 

UP pounced on Ateneo’s size and skill disadvantage and grew their lead to as large as 30 points. The surgical passing and the way they imposed their will were things rarely done to teams coached by Tab Baldwin. Yes this isn’t one of Baldwin’s best rosters (and it may very well be the worst), but a beatdown is still a beatdown. 

The Fighting Maroons still have a couple of pivotal matchups beginning with a second-round encounter with the defending champions DLSU Green Archers. It was a contest that was both physical and controversial, but UP will need to focus on the game itself if they want to split the season series. Their season finale against the UE Red Warriors could prove even more crucial with a loss to the Green Archers as the Red Warriors could play spoiler to another giant. 

Working in the Fighting Maroons favor, though, is that they have fresher legs compared to their peers. None of UP’s players are in the top 10 in minutes per game and the blowouts allowed them to rest much of their rotation while giving the rest of their bench meaningful reps. It’s thus no surprise that even the Fighting Maroons’ bench can get in on the scoring. 

The UP Fighting Maroons endured two consecutive seasons of first runner-up finishes and have the unfortunate distinction of having the shortest UAAP title reign. They can change that narrative with a strong finish to UAAP Season 87 and that begins by capitalizing on their strength in numbers.