GERRY Abadiano’s college journey has never been just about championships, playoff runs, or his patented 'Gerry Shot' for the University of the Philippines.
For the 24-year-old skipper, the move from Jhocson to Diliman was a life decision rooted in purpose, pride, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.
READ: UP refuses to quit vs La Salle to force winner-take-all Game 3
And whatever the outcome of the UAAP Season 88 Finals Game 3, championship or otherwise, Abadiano knows one thing for certain: bleeding maroon-and-green was a gamble he will never regret.
“Kami ‘yung mga nakaabot ng five seasons kaya sobrang grateful lang na na-experience ko ‘to kasi lahat ng players, ganito ‘yung pangarap,” he said, referring to the Fighting Maroons' beloved 'Maroon 5' made up of himself, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres.
“Maaalala ko ‘yan habang buhay sa pagtanda ko, ‘yung mga ganitong experience. Galing pandemic, wala kaming kaalam-alam kung ano talaga ‘yung plano.”
Abadiano committed to State U at the height of uncertainty, when the pandemic had stalled careers and blurred futures.
“Coming from NU, absolutely pandemic pa. Hindi namin alam kung saan kami papunta. Nu’ng time na nagre-regroup na sila ng players, ako ‘yung kinausap nila,” the former NU-Nazareth School standout recalled.
Bigger than basketball
As he looks back on his final days fighting for the UP community ahead of his last collegiate game on Wednesday, Abadiano said his goal was never limited to basketball.
While the sport brought him to the Fighting Maroons, he wanted to fully embody what it meant to be a student of the country’s leading academic institution.
“Kapag sinabi mong UP talaga, ‘yung acads, maganda. At maganda rin talaga kapag sinabing ‘yung diploma ko, galing sa UP. Mag-iiba ‘yung paningin nila,” Abadiano said.
For him, that diploma represents something enduring, especially in a profession where careers can be fleeting.
“‘Yung basketball, hindi naman habang buhay ‘yan,” he said.
“Maganda rin na makapaglaro kami nang maayos as athletes, pero ‘yung background sa pag-aaral, ‘yung diploma, ‘yun talaga ‘yung isang rason kung bakit pumunta ako sa UP.”
Now standing on the cusp of the biggest game of his life, Abadiano is choosing to live in his last act as a student-athlete.
Yet another title may or may not follow, but regardless of the ending, his legacy in Diliman is already secure as a leader, a student, and a Maroon who took the leap and never looked back.
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