MANILA, Philippines — A year of residency was worth the wait for Gani Stevens, who delivered a breakout game and helped University of the Philippines clinch a Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.

Stevens stepped up when Quentin Millora-Brown was in foul trouble and he made the most of his close to 12 minutes of playing time with 10 points and 12 rebounds in a 70-59 win over Adamson on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Article continues after this advertisement

The transferee big man from the University of the East believes that he is slowly reaping the fruit of his hard work and patience.

READ: UAAP: UP claims Final Four berth, beats Adamson

Gani Stevens on his breakout game as a Fighting Maroon. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/pXszG6IHz4

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 27, 2024

“One thing that was always on my mind since I got into the UAAP was to have that chance to play, at least make it to the Final Four and hopefully play for a championship,” said Stevens. “To be able to finally reach the Final Four, I’m excited, but it’s like coach and JD (Cagulangan) saying the job’s not done. So, we’re just going to continue to our goal which is a championship.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“Obviously, it’s my first time being in the Final Four so I’m really excited. Our final goal is a championship. So keep executing, keep running the plays, keep doing all in coach Gold’s system and keep playing hard,” he added.

Stevens, who played his rookie year with UE in Season 85 two years ago, was determined to prove himself when he got an opportunity to play.

“It’s my first year. So you know that year off I had was definitely hard not playing in the UAAP. So, I’ve just been trying to find that rhythm I’ve had, getting adjusted and I think it’s nice finally, you know, I’ve been working hard these past two weeks, you know, really focusing on our defense, running and executing and I think what we ran in practice translates to the game,” he said.

UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon and the whole coaching staff knew that Stevens would deliver after his hard work during their two-week break.

READ: UAAP: Gani Stevens transfers to UP Fighting Maroons

“He’s been really working hard. And what he meant by that was doing extra hours before and after practice. And these are things that we don’t even tell him or tell them to do. And, you know, I was a witness to that and also yung ibang players,” said Luanzon.

After playing his best game yet as a Fighting Maroon, Stevens said he still has a lot to improve on and he remains hungry to contribute for UP whenever his number gets called.

“I think there’s a lot of room for improvement, I would’ve liked to have this start at the beginning of the first round but you know, just from here, we’re hoping to continue to have an upward trend to the championship, or Final Four, that’s where I’m starting to peak but I’m just continuing to work hard off the court and just listen to my coaches and my teammates,” Stevens said.

“My teammates have been supportive of me, all my coaches, they’ve been working me off the court after practices, because they know what I can do. It was just them trying to pull it out of me. Find that fire I had and just bring it to the games, I’ve just been trying to do that. It’s been all my teammates supporting me so, that’s been really helpful.”