The UP Men's Basketball Team connected via Zoomustahan in a special way with the frontliners from the UP Philippine General Hospital

“This is really a treat for us - to see faces that are not sick. We are getting all the support that you’re giving us and you keep us inspired to move on. It’s really amazing how the whole UP community stood up to the challenge and are helping us get through this. We’re looking forward to your first game.” ~Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, PGH Director

UPMBT Zoomustahan

The UP Men's Basketball Team connected via Zoomustahan in a special way with the frontliners from the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP PGH) and UP National Institutes of Health (NIH) to express the team's gratitude and to provide moral support to them.

With people around the world cheering, applauding, and saying thank you to their frontliners from balconies and plazas, the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) expressed gratitude and appreciation for local frontliners in their own unique way.

UP coaches joined the call as well:

• Ricky Dandan
• Rodney Santos
• Moriah Gingrich
• Chappy Callanta
• Mark Dandan
• Kenneth Raval 

UP Fighting Maroons

UP Fighting Maroons:

• Noah Webb
• Kobe Paras
• Ricci Rivero
• James Spencer
• David Murrell
• Joe Gomez de Liaño
• Jboy Gob, CJ Catapusan
• Brix Ramos
• Matt Santiago
• Ethan Kirkness
• Sam Dowd
• Malik Diouf

Head coach Bo Perasol hopped on a Zoom call with medical and healthcare workers from UP’s Philippine General Hospital (UP PGH) and the UP National Institutes of Health (UP NIH) on Friday, May 8 for a virtual chat called Zoomustahan.

Noah Webb

“Really grateful for everything you are doing for our country and our fellow Filipinos. Sobrang saludo po kami sa inyo. We are doing this Zoomustahan with you para naman po makapagshare kami ng konting good vibes sa inyo kahit for a few minutes lang. We’re facing this really big challenge and nandito lang po kami to listen to you, extend our support and continue to pray for you. Hoping for your safety and for sure kakayanin natin ‘to, babangon tayong lahat.” ~Ricci Rivero

Kobe Paras

“While we are here sitting in our homes, comfortable, you are out there risking your lives for us so I want to say thank you.” ~Kobe Paras

The cheer-up call was received by:

• PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi
• Dr. Edgar Eufemio
• Dr. Anthony Geronimo Cordero
• Dr. Louricha Opina-Tan
• Former Fighting Maroon Dr. Czarlo Dela Victoria
• and interns and nurses on the PGH side. 

NIH health workers and laboratory personnel led by UP Manila Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology science research specialist Stessi Geganzo also chatted with the team.

“This virtual visit is the least the team could do to give back to you. UP-PGH has been part of our team from the start. Whatever small part we could play now - by saying thank you, by praying for you, or whatever help we could extend to you with our presence – just let us know so we could be part of it.” ~Coach Bo Perasol

 The Fighting Maroons hope to reach more frontliners in the days to come to show their support through the UPMBT Zoomustahan. The team looks forward to meeting more medical and healthcare workers, grocery attendants, and other groups that man the frontlines and continue to serve the country during this pandemic.

“Maraming-maraming salamat, UP Men’s Basketball Team. Malaking-malaking bagay ‘to and salamat sa support sa mga nasa frontlines.” ~Dr. Carmencita David-Padilla, UP Manila Chancellor

 The frontliners thanked the Fighting Maroons for taking time and effort to do the Zoomustahan.