The UP Fighting Maroons had the perfect way to celebrate the life of former coach Ricky Dandan as they defeated the young FEU Tamaraws over the weekend.
The UP Fighting Maroons’ 86-78 win over the FEU Tamaraws on Saturday was more than a return to form following back-to-back losses against the NU Bulldogs and La Salle Green Archers.
It was also the perfect tribute to the late Ricky Dandan, who passed away last November 13 at the age of 62. Dandan was a prominent face within the UP men’s basketball program, having played for them in the 80s, before returning as their head coach from 2011 to 2013.
After stepping down as head coach, Dandan would remain in State U as part of Bo Perasol’s coaching staff when he took over in 2016. As Perasol’s deputy, Dandan played a role in the Maroons’ rise to contention, which culminated in a UAAP finals berth in Season 81.
Veteran JD Cagulangan, who transferred UP in 2020, was particularly struck by Dandan’s passing. UP was still under Perasol when he joined the program, meaning that he was able to work with the late mentor.
“Naabutan ko naman si Coach Ricky nung 2020, I think. ‘Yung kapatid niya, nakilala ko rin nung nasa LSGH ako. So nung nabalitaan ko ‘yung nangyari sa kanya, nagulat talaga ako and hindi ko alam if ano mararamdaman ko kasi nakita ko lang sa phone ko na nag-pass away na si Coach Ricky,” Cagulangan recalled on Saturday.
“Naging mabuting tao rin naman siya sa akin, so para sa akin, inooffer ko itong game na ito sa kanya. I think naging player din siya or part siya ng UP, so coach Ricky para sayo ito [win over FEU] and rest in peace,” he added.
While he was unable to meet Dandan, team captain Gerry Abadiano was aware of the late mentor’s prominence within the program. The fourth-year guard also led UP on Saturday as he scored a season-high 19 points against the Tamaraws.
“Para sa akin, hindi ko siya nakasama pero isang part siya ng UP MBT. 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 din siya sa team,” said the former NU Bullpup.
The Fighting Maroons will close out eliminations against the UE Red Warriors on November 20, before beginning their Final Four campaign to close out the month. With a twice-to-beat bid secured, it’s now up to them to take away as much lessons ahead of their playoff run.
“Papasok ng Final Four, marami pa kami kailangan na mag-improve, kailangan namin…mas mag work as a team pa. Siguro, itong last game sabi ni Coach Gold, kunin namin kung ano yung makuha namin learnings, and dalhin namin ‘yun papasok sa Final Four,” said Abadiano.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.