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| UP Fighting Maroons | |
|---|---|
| Name | University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons |
| Founded | 1911 |
| University | University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Association | University Athletic Association of the Philippines |
| Conference | UAAP Season |
| Location | Quezon City |
| Colors | Maroon (color) and Forest green |
| Nickname | Fighting Maroons |
| Arena | Philippine General Hospital |
| Stadium | Philippine Arena |
UP Fighting Maroons The UP Fighting Maroons are the collegiate varsity teams representing the University of the Philippines Diliman in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, competing across multiple UAAP Season tournaments and national events such as the Philippine National Games, Palarong Pambansa, and intercollegiate cups. The program fields squads in basketball, volleyball, track and field, swimming, cheerleading, and other disciplines, producing athletes who later appeared for Gilas Pilipinas, represented the Philippines at the Asian Games, and played professionally in leagues like the Philippine Basketball Association.
The program traces roots to early 20th-century athletics at the University of the Philippines system and engaged in competitions with institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines). UP varsity teams participated in formative tournaments including precursors to the UAAP and regional meets influenced by American-era sporting models like the NCAA (USA), later adapting through periods marked by national events such as the People Power Revolution and policy shifts under the University of the Philippines System administration. The teams’ development reflected broader ties with organizations such as the Philippine Olympic Committee and collaborations with training centers exemplified by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The athletics program fields men's, women's, and juniors' squads across sports: basketball (men's, women's, juniors), volleyball (men's, women's, juniors), football (soccer), baseball, softball, table tennis, badminton, fencing, taekwondo, karate, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming, cheerleading and track and field. Teams compete in leagues and cups including the UAAP Season, Palarong Pambansa, Philippine National Games, and invitational tournaments against clubs like San Miguel Beermen developmental squads or university teams from University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University.
Alumni include multi-sport figures and professionals who transitioned to national or international stages: basketball players who joined Gilas Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball Association; volleyball athletes who played in the Premier Volleyball League; track and field competitors who represented the Philippines at the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games; and practitioners who served with the Philippine Sports Commission. Notable names associated with UP athletics have links to institutions like the Asian Development Bank and public service in offices such as the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the Senate of the Philippines where some alumni pursued careers beyond sports.
Historic rivalries pit UP against Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, and Adamson University within the UAAP Season framework, producing marquee matchups at venues like the Mall of Asia Arena, Araneta Coliseum, and the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Rivalries extended to tournaments involving teams from the NCAA (Philippines) and invitational series featuring professional clubs such as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Purefoods TJ Hotdogs alumni squads. The program has contested championship series, playoff games, and exhibition tours against international collegiate teams from Japan and South Korea.
Home indoor fixtures and training sessions have been held at campus facilities and major arenas including the Gymnasium of the University of the Philippines Diliman, the Araneta Coliseum, and the Mall of Asia Arena. Outdoor competitions and athletics meets used grounds like the University of the Philippines Diliman Oblation Plaza and track facilities associated with the Philippine Sports Institute. Strength and conditioning, sports science, and rehabilitation partnerships involved entities such as the Philippine General Hospital and private training centers.
The teams draw symbols and traditions from university heritage: the maroon and green colors linked to the University of the Philippines System identity and the oblation iconography associated with National Artist for Sculpture Guillermo Tolentino. Pre-game rituals and student support involve organizations such as the UP Pep Squad and cultural groups that coordinate with the UP Alpha Sigma Fraternity alumni and campus student councils. The program’s anthem, fight songs, and ceremonial practices appear during UAAP opening rites alongside delegations from other member schools like De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University.
Coaching staffs have included faculty and professional coaches with connections to national teams like Gilas Pilipinas and the Philippine National Team structures, often coordinated by the university’s Office of the Athletic Director (University of the Philippines Diliman) and linked to national sports governance through the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee. Administrative oversight involves athletics directors, team managers, and support from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association, with recruitment and development pipelines tied to secondary institutions such as De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School and National University feeder programs.
Category:University of the Philippines Diliman sports teams