The Pre-season is being utilized to its fullest by the UP Fighting Maroons as they prepare for UAAP Season 87.
The UP Men’s Basketball Team will spend two weeks practicing in Novi Sad, Serbia, where they defeated collegiate and professional teams in every tune-up game. From July 28 to August 9, they will return to Korea to continue their training.
In keeping with his pledge to be the Maroons’ “training buddy” from 2018, longtime UPMBT supporter JJ Atencio, CEO of Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI), has once again helped the squad improve by funding their abroad preparations.
Although Atencio hails from Ateneo de Manila University, he has been one of the staunchest supporters of the Fighting Maroons, pledging to take care of their athletic training abroad yearly to prepare them for the upcoming collegiate seasons.
Atencio supports the team in a very focused way – by funding their training in places where they could get better. He has funded the Maroons’ training in Las Vegas, Serbia, Japan and Korea in various years.
“In the beginning, when they were the perennial underdogs and had not yet won a championship, I was attracted to the UP story. I identified with them because they were underdogs and I had a similar experience. Through hard work, persistence, dedication, integrity, sincerity and prayer, you can reach your goal. And I did, they did.”
STATS Technical Sportswear, a subsidiary of JHI, has also outfitted the Maroons and produced their official merchandise since Atencio started supporting the team.
“JHI is one with the UP Men’s Basketball Team as we all strive to be stronger and better in Season 87,” said Atencio. “Since we entered into a partnership with UP, our goal is to be a contender every year, which we have done for several seasons now. But we are not stopping there.”
“The story of the UP Fighting Maroons, who were once an underdog and now is a team to beat, continues to resonate with me and our company. That’s what makes this team special. Some may see them as the top dog now, but deep inside, they still have that underdog mentality. They will keep trying and trying and will stay hungry all the time,” Atencio added.
Bo Perasol, director of the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (UP OASD), acknowledged the teams’ gratitude for Atencio’s efforts’ significant contribution to the Fighting Maroons’ progress both on and off the court.
“JJ is like a father figure to the boys. We are really grateful for his generosity and help in our overseas training camps. More than that, we are extremely blessed to have him as a partner in guiding the players and looking after them beyond the corners of the basketball court,” said Perasol. Coach Bo was UP’s head coach when Atencio first partnered with the team in 2018.
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