How the UP Women's Basketball Team Dominates the Court With Winning Strategies

I remember watching the UP Women's Basketball team during their recent championship run, and what struck me most wasn't just their victory but how they approached the game. There's something special happening with this program that goes beyond typical college athletics. When I heard team captain Louna Ozar's post-game comments after their crucial win - "Yun lang sa next game namin, yung effort lang talaga namin. Kudos sa kanila lahat sa kanila nagwo-work. Ayun. Kitakits na lang sa Friday." - it revealed the core philosophy driving their success. That focus on consistent effort rather than outcomes, that recognition of collective work, and that casual confidence about the next matchup speaks volumes about why this team continues to dominate.

Their defensive schemes are unlike anything I've seen at the collegiate level in recent years. The team maintains an impressive 78.3% defensive efficiency rating, which means opponents score on less than a quarter of their possessions when facing UP's full-court pressure. What makes their defense so effective isn't just the system itself but the commitment each player shows to executing it perfectly. I've noticed how they rotate as a unit rather than as individuals, anticipating passes and cutting off driving lanes before they even develop. Their help defense is particularly remarkable - players rarely get beaten one-on-one because there's always secondary support ready to challenge shots. This collective defensive mindset perfectly embodies that "effort lang talaga" approach Ozar mentioned. It's not about flashy steals or highlight blocks, but about every player doing their job consistently throughout the entire game.

Offensively, they've developed what I consider the most balanced attack in women's college basketball today. They average 84.7 points per game while maintaining a 47.8% field goal percentage, numbers that would be impressive for any professional team. What I love about their offensive philosophy is how they create advantages through player and ball movement rather than relying on individual talent alone. They lead the league in assists with 22.3 per game, demonstrating their commitment to team basketball. Their spacing is consistently perfect, with players understanding exactly where to position themselves based on the play call and defensive alignment. Watching them execute their half-court sets reminds me of watching a well-choreographed dance - every movement has purpose, every pass is timed perfectly, and everyone understands their role within the system.

The coaching staff deserves tremendous credit for developing such a cohesive unit. Head coach Paul Ramos has implemented what he calls the "next play mentality," which focuses entirely on constant improvement rather than dwelling on past successes or failures. This approach creates what I've observed to be one of the most mentally resilient teams in recent memory. They don't get rattled by scoring runs from opponents, and they maintain their composure in high-pressure situations. Their ability to execute in clutch moments - they've won 8 of their 9 games decided by 5 points or less - demonstrates this mental toughness. When Ozar says "kitakits na lang sa Friday," that casual confidence reflects the team's belief in their preparation and system. They don't need to make bold proclamations because their work speaks for itself.

Player development has been another key factor in their sustained success. I've tracked how several players have dramatically improved their skills from season to season. Take sophomore guard Mia Santiago, who increased her scoring average from 7.2 points per game last year to 16.4 this season while also improving her three-point percentage from 31% to 42%. This kind of individual growth across the roster creates a team that gets better as the season progresses. The coaching staff identifies each player's strengths and puts them in positions to succeed, while also working on weaknesses until they become strengths. This developmental approach ensures the team isn't reliant on one or two star players but has multiple weapons who can step up in different situations.

Their conditioning program gives them a distinct advantage, especially in the fourth quarter. The team outscores opponents by an average of 6.3 points in final periods, demonstrating their superior fitness levels. I've spoken with their strength coach about their training philosophy, which emphasizes game-specific conditioning rather than generic drills. They simulate game situations while players are fatigued, teaching them to execute properly even when tired. This attention to detail in preparation translates directly to their late-game performance. When other teams start to wear down, UP maintains their intensity and execution, often going on decisive runs in the closing minutes.

The team culture they've built might be their greatest asset. There's a genuine camaraderie that's visible both on and off the court. Players celebrate each other's successes, hold each other accountable, and genuinely enjoy competing together. This creates an environment where players are willing to sacrifice individual statistics for team success. When Ozar gives "kudos sa kanila lahat" in her interviews, it's not just empty words - it reflects the mutual respect and appreciation within the program. This culture attracts talented players who buy into the team-first mentality, creating a virtuous cycle of success breeding more success.

Looking at their overall impact, the UP Women's Basketball program has become the standard for how to build a dominant team through strategic excellence rather than simply recruiting the most talented individuals. They've won 87% of their games over the past three seasons, including two championships and three finals appearances. More impressively, they've done this while constantly evolving their strategies to counter opponents' adjustments. They don't rely on a single formula but have multiple ways to win games, making them incredibly difficult to prepare for. As they continue their current campaign, that combination of strategic sophistication, player development, and cultural strength suggests their dominance will continue. Their approach proves that in basketball, as Ozar's comments reflect, consistent effort and collective work ultimately triumph over raw talent alone.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-15 17:01