MAROONS: A DYNASTY RISING

For two straight seasons, the University of the Philippines was in a loop of near hits and almostbut-not-quite moments.

- By JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY

The Maroons kept coming back to the starting line and around the desired destination like a UP Ikot Jeepney tirelessly revolving around the Sunken Garden, draped by Acacia trees as old as time.

It was even worse eons before as the country’s national university struggled to traverse the collegiate sports jungle like a lost journeyman.

On a breezy Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, UP solved the puzzle and primed up to erect its own dynasty – at the expense of no less than champion and powerhouse La Salle.