BORING.
That's how more than a few reporters would describe the University of the Philippines, winners of two gold and three silver medals, in this era under head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
READ: La Salle a champion anew after besting UP in title trilogy
To be clear, that doesn't refer to what the Fighting Maroons do on the court, where cardiac contests have been their trademark. Instead, it's off the court where State U comes off as bland as bland goes.
Why is that? When mediamen are on the lookout for quotes that would make their stories stand, they get nothing from the boys in maroon-and-green, more often than not. When video producers are searching for soundbites that would open their reels with a bang, nada.
For these UP players - the 'Maroon 5' of Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres, in particular - there has just been no color to see, no noise to hear, no emotion to feel.
In fact, in recent history, the biggest controversy any of them found themselves in wasn't instigated by them themselves; that being Torres' spat with La Salle coach Topex Robinson a year ago. Even then, reporters got nothing out of Torres, who chose to continue to work, keep at the grind, and let his play sound off much louder than any statement ever could.
That's what you get when you've been molded and guided by Monteverde, who has been defined by being a man of few words himself.
"Sa totoo lang, wala akong masabi," he answered, very much on brand, when asked by SPIN.ph if he now sees himself in these longtime wards of his.
"I felt na yung culture na meron tayo ngayon sa UP, sila yung positive influence."
In truth, like we said in our preseason preview, this is the most likeable Fighting Maroons squad since the time when they were, indeed, underdogs. Think Paul Desiderio having to manifest 'Atin 'to, papasok 'to!' because back then, Diliman was scratching and clawing its way up.
Now, they're the standard of consistent contention in the UAAP, and yet, managed to keep attention on them all about their play - and in turn, all about their work.
And much of that has to do with the 'Maroon 5,' belying their namesake as a world-famous band that revels being under the spotlight.
This love
It's not often that a juniors champion core is brought over to be a seniors champion core, and with the same mentor, no less.
Alarcon, Abadiano, Felicilda, Fortea, and Torres did it - count Carl Tamayo in there, too, even if his star burned too bright for the collegiate stage right away.
Through it all, they have become Monteverde's sons. Regal babies in words and in action.
And altogether, they stood at the very heart of this Goldwin age for UP. Yes, three runner-up finishes are heartbreaking, but always and always put those into context.
These are the Fighting Maroons we're talking about, the same ones not too far away from their dark days and whose two titles prior came pre-World War II and then when the only Paras who was known was Benjie.
Now, there are four trophies on their warmers for all to see. Two championships, three silver medals in five straight finals. Seven Final Fours in a row.
Success all around, through and through.
And the 'Maroon 5' has been playing the hits through it all.
"Very proud ako sa kanila. Nakikita ko sila every day, and what we believe is every practice should be a championship. Ganun sila. They gave it 100-percent," said Monteverde.
"Wala akong nakitang araw kahit nung high school pa lang na hindi championship yung araw na yun. As in they gave it their best every day."
Until the close of the collegiate careers of his longtime wards, the soft-spoken mentor was a man of few words.
But no words could begin to explain, let alone encompass, what all of them mean to him.
He established this championship culture with them in NU-Nazareth School. He brought over and reinforced this championship culture with them in UP.
They're the pillars of his system, whether in gold-and-blue or maroon-and-green.
He doesn't have to say much in-game, often seen sitting cool, calm, and collected on the bench because they're there.
Won't go home without you
With the 'Maroon 5,' the house was always in order.
Practice hard, play hard. Being better is both the mission and the vision.
They don't necessarily live all together. Monteverde and Fortea are the closest, both being in San Juan. Alarcon and Felicilda are roommates in Quezon City. Torres is near them, but in a separate house. Abadiano stays with family in Rizal.
But one place always bonded them: the court, with Monteverde's voice in the their ears.
You won't necessarily hear it in-game, often drowned out by cheers and jeers alike. It also doesn't help that Monteverde's default volume is probably at a 4-out-of-10.
But during training, it rings out inside the Varsity Training Center. There, he's the exact opposite of soft-spoken.
And more often than not, Monteverde is the hardest on his surrogate sons.
He knows exactly what they can do. He knows exactly what buttons to push to turn them up to their maximum.
Because of that, until the very end of their time as Fighting Maroons, Monteverde squeezed the best out of the 'Maroon 5.'
And as they take their talents onto the next level, he rests assured they'll continue to give it their all, all the time.
"For now, ang nasa isip ko lang is wishing them the best sa next chapter ng career nila, praying na gumanda pa. Gamitin nila 'tong talo nila kasi yun naman ang culture natin. Learn from it, masakit man, take responsibility, and move forward," he said.
For five glorious seasons, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres gave anything and everything they had for UP, inspiring all their teammates to do the same en route to this Goldwin age in Diliman.
They leave as champions twice over, and as tireless builders of architect Monteverde's grand plans.
There's not much left to be said.
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