UPAA-HK watches historic basketball game, elects officers

UPAA HK are all smiles despite the loss of their basketball bet

By The SUN

Their alma mater’s team might have suffered an initial setback in its quest for an historic basketball crown, but members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Hong Kong did not let it dampen their pre-Christmas celebration.

All eyes are on the game

The gathering in Repulse Bay on Dec. 1 proved to be auspicious. The UP Fighting Maroons long an underdog in UAAP, the university-wide league, managed to get through to the finals, and Dec 1 was set as the date of their initial best-of-three clash with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Members of UPAA did not lose time setting an early kick-off time for their annual general meeting and Christmas party so they could all watch the game, a history in itself as it was the first time in 32 years that UP had managed to get into the finals.

The new officers being sworn in by Labatt dela Torre: Renart, Erno, Low, Rigor, Colet and Solis

The group matched the cheers from fellow alumni as they watched the game live from the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. But the cheers turned to frustrated sighs as it became clear by the fourth and last quarter that UP was outclassed by Ateneo, at least for this round.

The game ended with Ateneo winning over UP the underdog by 9 points, 88-79.

But true to their university slogan, UP Fight!, UPAA HK members took no time shrugging off the loss, before proceeding to choose their officers for next year.

Elected unopposed were Rawna Crisostomo-Low, president; Sherina Manimtim- Erno, vice president; Marion Honquilado-Renart, secretary; Randy Solis, treasurer; Geralyn Rigor, auditor; and Chiqui Colet, PRO.

They were immediately sworn into office by Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre, who attended his first UPAA HK meeting to join his fellow alumni in watching the game.

Afterwards, the usual fun games were held including Pinoy Henyo centered on UP icons, which further eased the frustration felt by many in seeing their beloved Fighting Maroons suffer a heartbreaking loss.

But as is their wont, the group regrouped via whatsapp shortly after the meeting, this time to chat about the next game in the finals, set on Dec. 5. The game will determine whether Ateneo gets to win the UAAP crown automatically, or will be forced to a third and final rematch with UP.