It’s still a few months away, but we can already feel the raging energy of the UP Men’s Basketball Team for UAAP’s 82nd season.
During the media launch of the team’s partnership with Maya, shooting guards James Spencer and Ricci Rivero shared that they have been training almost everyday for the past five months, hoping that the team will make a good run this year.
Spencer also expressed his excitement to play alongside new UP recruits Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras for his second season in UAAP.
“I think the practices so far have been really good. I think they’re really great additions to the team,” the shooting guard said with a smile.
After taking one season off, Rivero will be making his awaited UAAP comeback in the UP court this coming season. He admitted that he looks forward to training and learning everyday, as well as playing with his new team.
To which Spencer seconded, “I think just being able to play our hardest for our school, to represent our community as well as we can, and just play as a team. Have a brotherhood-like feel.”
He also shared that with the team’s unexpected and spectacular performance last season, he believes that nothing is impossible in their quest for the championship trophy this year.
“From the past season I’d say, I think the realization is that we really can win it. We have a good chance. And I think if we just keep working hard, that is nothing the team we have right now can’t achieve.”
Rivero also added that it’s important to listen and trust their coaches and the system they have within the team. With two years of collegiate experience, he thinks that playing as a team is the basic of being in the game.
When asked for their message to the basketball fans and the UP community, they both smiled and expressed their gratitude.
“UP has come a long way since the 0-wins seasons and now we’ve started to win more and more games as the season has progressed. And I think the fans has been a big help towards that and our community has helped the team a lot,” Spencer exclaimed with a smile.
Even off the court, these men truly showed how passionate they are for the game. A trait that Maya shares, and which inspired the partnership between the two organizations.
As part of the partnership, the whole UP Men’s Basketball Team received their own personalized Maya accounts and cards which will help them enjoy the cashless lifestyle as student-athletes.
The thought of using Maya and going cashless got Spencer excited. “I think Maya is gonna be good for managing how you spend stuff, you know like when you have cash, you just expend it. You spend it and you don’t realize how quick it’s leaving your pocket and I guess with Maya, you can see how much is leaving your account,” he said.
Now they can enjoy shopping online even without a credit card. They can also pay via their card or Maya QR in card-accepting and partner establishments here and abroad, and even get rewards.
Instead of worrying about tasks like paying for their bills or buying load, which they can both do via the app, they can now focus on getting better during their training sessions in time for the UAAP season.
We are cheering and rooting for you, gentlemen! Good luck on the 82nd season!
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