As I look back at the 2019 season for the University of the Philippines (UP) Men's Basketball team, it's a fascinating exercise in roster construction and the delicate chemistry of a college squad. That season, under the bright lights of the UAAP, was a story of explosive individual talent, strategic depth, and, frankly, some puzzling inconsistencies that kept fans like me on the edge of our seats every game. The core of that team was undeniably built around a trio of scorers who could light up the scoreboard on any given night, a luxury not every program enjoys. Let's break it down from the perspective of someone who watched every possession, celebrated the highs, and agonized over the narrow losses.

The offensive engine, without a doubt, was Juan Gomez de Liaño. His performance against NU, dropping 21 points, was a microcosm of his season—a blend of fearless drives, clutch shooting, and a palpable swagger that lifted the entire arena. He wasn't just a scorer; he was the emotional heartbeat. Flanking him were the steady hands of Jun Manzo and the versatile brilliance of Bright Akhuetie. Manzo, the quintessential floor general, might only have had 14 points in that specific NU game, but his value was in controlling the tempo, making the right pass under pressure, and being an extension of the coach on the floor. Akhuetie, the reigning MVP at the time, was our anchor. Even on a night where his scoring wasn't the headline, his presence in the paint altered shots, commanded double-teams, and cleaned the glass. This "Big Three" dynamic was our primary weapon, and when all cylinders were firing, we looked nearly unstoppable.

However, what made that 2019 lineup particularly intriguing, and in my opinion, what separated it from being merely good to being a legitimate contender, was the depth of the supporting cast. This is where the roster breakdown gets really interesting. You had guys like Will Gozum and Javi Gomez de Liaño providing energy and scoring bursts off the bench. Against NU, we saw contributions from across the board—Kobe Paras, though not in that particular box score, brought athleticism and defensive intensity in other games, while Jaydee Tungcab and David Murrell offered defensive versatility. The coaching staff, led by Bo Perasol, had a variety of tools to deploy. We could play big, we could switch everything on defense with a smaller, quicker lineup, and we had multiple players who could create their own shot. This wasn't a team reliant on one or two stars; it was a collective, and that depth was tested and proven throughout a grueling season.

But let's be honest, the season wasn't without its frustrations, and that's where my personal analysis comes in. For all the talent, there were stretches where the offense would stagnate, becoming overly reliant on isolation plays from Juan or Kobe. The three-point shooting, while having capable shooters like Tungcab and Manzo, could be inconsistent. Defensively, we had lapses in communication, especially in transition, that cost us crucial possessions in tight games. I remember specific sequences against Ateneo where a missed switch or a slow close-out felt like a dagger. The potential was sky-high, but the execution needed a sharper, more consistent edge. The 78 points scored against NU showed the offensive firepower, but the final score—a 78-81 loss, if I recall the context correctly—also highlighted the defensive struggles that sometimes plagued us. We could score with anyone, but winning championships requires getting stops at critical moments.

Reflecting on it now, the 2019 UP Fighting Maroons were a pivotal chapter in the program's resurgence. That roster was a beautiful, sometimes chaotic, blend of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance. They played a brand of basketball that was exciting, fast-paced, and unapologetically confident. They pushed the traditional powerhouses to the limit and captured the imagination of a nation. From my seat in the stands or watching on screen, they weren't just a team; they were an event. The individual brilliance of Juan GDL, the steadying force of Manzo, the dominance of Bright, and the sparks from the bench all coalesced into a season that felt like a promise of even greater things to come. The foundation built by that 2019 lineup, with its clear strengths and identifiable areas for growth, directly paved the way for the historic championship run that followed. It was a team you had to watch, for better or worse, because something memorable was always about to happen.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.