Romwel Anzures

Former UP Fighting Maroons star CJ Cansino in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><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/1732968539636UAAP S87 MBB Final Four - UP-07198.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. <em>Photo from UAAP Media.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The University of the Philippines (UP) are going to their fourth straight UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals.</div><p>The Fighting Maroons will have another shot at glory as they defeated the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in their Season 87 Final 4 faceoff on Saturday, with the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored team taking advantage of their incentive against the Growling Tigers through a 78-69 win.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/11/30/uaap-fighting-maroons-return-to-finals-after-ousting-tigers-1819">READ: Alarcon waxes hot in the second half as UP makes Finals return at UST’s expense</a></div><p>This is the fifth Finals appearance of State U in the last six years or since Season 81, and this, according to former UP star CJ Cansino, is a result of the collective efforts by both their players, coaches, and management.</p><p>“Ang sikreto, it’s about the management, coaches, and culture,” the Meralco Bolt told a few reporters just before he exited the Big Dome.</p><p>“Kailangan lahat nandoon eh. Siguro, isa yun sa pinaka secret formula. Kahit saan ka pumunta, pag maayos yung management at coach, susunod na rin yung players,” he added.</p><p>In that same span, more specifically, in early 2022, the Fighting Maroons were able to break a 36-year title drought by clinching the Season 85 championship at the expense of Ateneo de Manila University.</p><div>After that, while UP was not able to defend and reclaim the title in Seasons 85 and 86 — as the Blue Eagles and De La Salle University won the championships in those respective series — they were still able to reach the Finals but only fell short in the decider.<br/><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/1732968585431UAAP S87 MBB Final Four - CJ Cansino-07008.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former UP Fighting Maroons star CJ Cansino in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo from UAAP Media."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former UP Fighting Maroons star CJ Cansino in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Final 4. <em>Photo from UAAP Media.</em></span></span></span>Now that the Fighting Maroons are back in the Finals, what do they need to do to finally break their slump and bring the title back to Diliman?</div><p>“Tingin ko nasa kanila na yun eh, kung paano sila mananalo,” pointed out Cansino, who was a part of the Season 86 squad that lost to the Green Archers almost a year ago. “Meron naman silang piyesa para manalo, so siguro, yung mindset na lang nila. Kailangan nilang i-focus kung ano yung talagang goal nila.”</p><p>Last season against La Salle — much like their series against Ateneo the year prior — UP led the Best-of-3 series 1-0, but went on to lose the next two contests.</p><p>And for the former Fighting Maroons team captain, it will be mind over matter against whoever they will play in the Finals to avoid the same fate.</p><p>“Sa series na [versus] kung sino man yung makakalaban nila, yung pinakamananalo lang diyan ay yung kung sino yung gusto manalo,” he emphasized. “It’s about mindset, feeling ko mindset lang.”</p><p>UP will face the winner of the Final 4 faceoff between La Salle and Adamson University. <strong></strong></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=ABRILR8w5IhAdsgq&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

<p>The University of the Philippines (UP) are going to their fourth straight UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals.</p>

The University of the Philippines (UP) are going to their fourth straight UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball Finals.

UP's key to winning the UAAP title? It's mind over matter, says CJ Cansino

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

UP's key to winning the UAAP title? It's mind over matter, says CJ Cansino

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 30, 2024 08:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

ABSNews

UAAP Season 87

UAAP Basketball

UAAP

CJ Cansino

UAAP Finals

UP Fighting Maroons

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

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

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.