The TV Patrol set was full of emotions yesterday, November 28, as everyone watched the live telecast of the heart-stopping semi-finals game between UP Fighting Maroons and Adamson Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 81 Men's Basketball tournament.
Kim Atienza posted this video of him and his fellow University of the Philippines graduates Bernadette Sembrano and Gretchen Fullido watching the last few seconds of the game.
Everyone in the video—including veteran newscaster Noli de Castro, a University of the East alumnus—held their breath as the score was 89-87 in favor of UP, with a little over six seconds left in the game that reached overtime.
Adamson Falcons had ball possession, and the team were gunning for a three-point shot to get the lead and the win.
But Adamson star player Jerom Lastimosa failed to make the shot.
It was final—UP won the game and the Fighting Maroons will make their first Finals appearance after 32 years.
Along with the entire UP community, the TV Patrol staff cheered as the victory sank in.
Gretchen, who started her broadcasting career as a courtside reporter for UP in 2004, took to Twitter to celebrate.
She and Bernadette were in tears.
Bernadette said in the video, "Parang Finals."
Gretchen seconded the motion.
UP Fighting Maroons will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the UAAP Season 81 Men's Basketball championship title this Saturday, December 1, at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: Atom Araullo, Richard Gomez, Robi Domingo, Karylle wowed by historic UP Maroons win