Unless you happened to be hiding under a rock yesterday, you would know that the Ateneo De Manila University clinched this year’s UAAP Men’s Basketball Championship. This win marks their second basketball championship in a row and their tenth overall.
Finishing the game 99-81 against the UP Fighting Maroons, the Ateneo Blue Eagles were able to claim a clean victory. Fans watching quickly erupted in celebration — in real life and on social media. Unlike the high tensions that followed the last game, the online environment was much more chill this time around.
Students and fans from both sides were congratulating the well-earned win. Some congratulations, however, were more entertaining than others:
"OBF, bitches" (K. Merritt, 2018). pic.twitter.com/F8qzQWfOWA
— Emil Hofileña (@EmilHofilena) December 5, 2018
congrats and thank you, ateneo! https://t.co/8u9ZzD4Zo7
— jaziree (@jazireedc) December 5, 2018
Some celebrations were a bit more original as well:
On that note, please support my edit of UPTC pic.twitter.com/aRmuw683eW
— Presh Francisco (@PreshOffTheBoat) December 5, 2018
Despite the win, certain fans (and a supportive Kuya) obviously had their priorities right:
Grpmates! Pwede na tumulong si @ThirdyRavenaaa ! Yahooooo!!! Congrats, Ateneo! #OBF
— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) December 5, 2018
@/ThirdyRavenaaa check mo raw messenger mo baka nagcha-chat na groupmate mo re your group project.
— Cheng (@ChengChungChank) December 5, 2018
Although other priorities also made themselves known:
Main takeaway of the game:
Nakaupo ako beside three Ateneans during the first quarter when suddenly UP crowd erupted after Desiderio scored his first trey.
Atenean 1: The UP crowd is super wild talaga.
Atenean 2: You haven't seen them in bed yet.And I'm like?? 👀😲🙉🙈
— Antoine (@anton_FOXPH) December 5, 2018
But of course, we can count on our reliable iskos and iskas to fight the good fight:
the banner that matters #AtinTo #AtinTwo pic.twitter.com/i6nYPDOnYW
— ᴋ ɪ ᴛ s ||-// (@kitstml) December 5, 2018
The delay in the game starting represents the systemic DELAY brought about unnecessary bureaucracy and process and lack of urgency in nationwide BUILDING smh 😤😤😤😤😤😤
— ENZ👁👄👁 (@_LorenzoTan) December 5, 2018
Maybe the best of it all though is UP’s good grace in their loss and recognition that this is no more than a stumbling block.
Whatever happens today, Paul Desiderio should be given the credit of giving the UPMBT its first taste of the UAAP finals in 32 years.
In sports, half the battle is mental. What Paul gave UP was the winning mentality, “Atin ‘to, papasok ‘to.”
— stubborn capricorn (@tepepay) December 4, 2018
Did you catch the game 2 of the finals? Let us know what you thought!
