Metro Manila, Philippines – From the moment he started playing UAAP basketball with the National University–Nazareth School, one thing was certain for Terrence Fortea: a trip to the finals.

Season after season, Fortea was a fixture on the league’s biggest stage even as his role changed and his minutes lessened in the seniors level.

When his name is called, expect him to show up and deliver.

And on a Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Fortea reminded everyone why he is a proven winner in the UAAP.

Trailing by a point, University of the Philippines (UP) badly needed a bucket with time winding down in the crucial stretch of the final quarter.

Fortea, who is all too familiar with the situation, calmly sank the go-ahead triple that eventually sealed UP’s 82-81 win over University of Santo Tomas.

His dagger shot sent UP to its fifth straight finals appearance.

“Masaya pero props pa rin sa buong team, yun pa rin yung nagpanalo. Bawat isa sa amin nagtrabaho talaga para makuha yung panalo,” he said after their pulsating triumph.

(Translation: I’m happy but it’s the team that won the game. Every one of us worked hard to get the victory.)

With two wins away from his third collegiate title, Fortea stands exactly where he wants to be and let destiny decide how he closes his chapter in Diliman.