Push Admin

UP’s JD Cagulangan (left) and Gerry Abadiano (right). Photo from UAAP Images.

Article (news)

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1731825852026UAAP 87 MBB UP vs. FEU-Tribute to Ricky Dandan-0063.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The UP Fighting Maroons. Photo from UAAP Media."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The UP Fighting Maroons. <em>Photo from UAAP Media.</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The University of the Philippines (UP) had the perfect tribute to its former head coach Ricky Dandan, who passed away last November 13.</p><p>Heading into Saturday’s UAAP Season 87 games with a pair of losses — and with the weight of losing Dandan, one of the most notable figures of their program —  the Fighting Maroons responded in the most fitting way possible, going home with a win.</p><p>UP imposed its prowess into Far Eastern University through an 86-78 win, as veteran guard JD Cagulangan hit timely baskets in the endgame to fend off the Tamaraws and eliminate them from playoff contention, and he said that it was also his way of paying his respects to Coach Dandan.</p><p>&quot;Sa part ko, naabutan ko naman si Coach Ricky nung early 2020,&quot; said Cagulangan, who scored nine of the last 11 UP points, three of which served as the dagger in the end game.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/11/16/cagulangan-drains-timely-baskets-as-up-ousts-feu-from-final-4-race-1708">READ: Cagulangan drains timely baskets as UP ousts FEU from Final 4 race</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/11/13/former-up-columbian-dyip-coach-ricky-dandan-passes-away-1830">READ: Former UP, Columbian Dyip coach Ricky Dandan passes away</a></div><p>Cagulangan transferred to UP in 2020 after spending a year with De La Salle University. Coincidentally, it also marked the final time that Dandan was officially part of the Fighting Maroons&#x27; staff.</p><p>&quot;Nung nabalitaan ko yung nangyari sa kanya, nagulat talaga ako. Hindi ko alam if ano yung mararamdaman ko that time eh, kasi &#x27;pag kita ko sa phone ko, yun nga, nag-pass away si Coach Ricky,&quot; he said of Dandan who was UP coach from Season 74 to 76 in 2011 to 2013, and deputy from 81 and 82, from 2019 to 2020.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1731825913625UAAP 87 MBB UP vs. FEU- JD Cagulangan, Gerry Abadiano-0494.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="UP’s JD Cagulangan (left) and Gerry Abadiano (right). Photo from UAAP Images."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">UP’s JD Cagulangan (left) and Gerry Abadiano (right). <em id="isPasted">Photo from UAAP Images.</em></span></span></span></span></div><p>&quot;Naging mabuting tao rin naman siya sa akin, kaya para sa akin, ino-offer ko &#x27;tong game na &#x27;to sa kanya especially naging player din siya at part din siya ng UP. Coach Ricky, para ito sayo.&quot;</p><p>This is why despite not having the experience of playing under Dandan, Gerry Abadiano — last night&#x27;s top scorer with 19 points (6/12 3 pts) — understands the late coach&#x27;s importance in their program. </p><p>&quot;Hindi ko siya nakasama, pero isang part siya ng UP MBT,&quot; said the Fighting Maroons team captain of the former Columbian Dyip mentor.</p><p>&quot;Malaking bagay para sa team namin ito. Dagdag motivation ito sa team, and yung panalo na ito is para talaga sa kanya. Kumbaga sa UP MBT sa amin, naging malaking bagay siya sa team,&quot; he added.</p><p>The Fighting Maroons will face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the Final 4, and UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde is hoping that their inspired play will continue as their journey for redemption enters its crucial stages.</p><p>&quot;Sa isang team, &#x27;pag nagdaan ka sa mga ganitong sitwasyon, then having this kind of game na haharapin mo, nakita natin that everybody&#x27;s really fighting hard, and trying to overcome whatever comes our way,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;This gets us ready kung ano man yung haharapin namin towards the end of the season and &#x27;pag dumadaan ka sa mga ganong pagsubok, basta lumaban lang, may mangyayari paring maganda para sayo.&quot;</p><p>&quot;It falls sa part namin to be consistent din,&quot; he insisted. &quot;Yung mga pina-practice namin dapat mata-translate during game time kasi malaking bagay yung growth namin as a team.&quot;</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABQdGixjNavaelKD&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

<p>The University of the Philippines (UP) had the perfect tribute to its former head coach Ricky Dandan who passed away last November 13.</p>

The University of the Philippines (UP) had the perfect tribute to its former head coach Ricky Dandan who passed away last November 13.

UAAP: Fighting Maroons pay tribute to late Ricky Dandan through bounceback victory

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Basketball

UAAP: Fighting Maroons pay tribute to late Ricky Dandan through bounceback victory

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 17, 2024 04:36 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 21, 2024 04:52 AM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

ABSNews

UAAP Season 87

UAAP Basketball

UAAP

UP

Ricky Dandan

Gerry Abadiano

JD Cagulangan

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.