The Last Game
story by rick olivares and pics by brosi gonzales
After the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons lost their Season 73 opening day assignment to La Salle, their mantra was “Let’s get our first win in the next game.”
Thirteen games later, the school officials, managers, staff, coaches, and players, the one final goal was to still get that first win.
The Maroons’ Magi Sison could sleep Friday night. Bothered by a slight bout of sore eyes, he hoped and prayed that the following day would deliver a welcome change from a season gone awry.
For Martin Reyes, all summer long, the season couldn’t start soon enough. When it did begin, everything went by like a blur. And now it was his final game. During the pre-game shootaround, Reyes engaged rookie Martin Pascual in an impromptu game of one-on-one where the latter tried to stop the other from taking a three-point shot. Said Reyes, “I don’t know what to feel and say anymore. I, we, never expected this to happen. I just wish that we can get a win this one last time. It would be a nice way to go out and for the rookies to carry into next year.”
Reyes felt a lump in his throat and he turned around.
It was the same inside the dugout. The pre-game talk was all business and devoid of any drama. “It’s been a season full of it,” remarked UP courtside reporter Rickie Flores who was grateful for the simple instructions from departing head coach Boyet Fernandez. “There’s time for that later.”
“We play with pride,” reminded Fernandez who tendered his resignation to give team management free reign to regroup for next season. “This win will erase some of the pain. Let’s win this for UP, our supporters, ourselves and our graduating players.”
About 20 feet away across the hall, the mood inside the locker room of the University of the East Red Warriors wasn’t as somber as UP’s. It was just a little more upbeat. The Red Warriors were on a second round tear but their turnaround came way too late. The what-ifs were abound and for most players, they simply couldn’t shake it.
Paul Lee wore a frown on his face. The way he saw it, there was still plenty of basketball left in him and his team.
For his longtime teammate Raphy Reyes who was with Lee in San Sebastian high, the game versus UP was doubly ironic. Reyes’ jersey number was “14.” Four years ago, the Warriors went 14-0 in the elims but went out 0-2 in the finals. “Siguro yung best na mabibigay namin sa UE community as isa pang panalo bago mag-graduate.” he said wistfully.
James Martinez couldn’t believe it was his last game. He’s seen his team come close twice, thrice if you add this season. And that’s thrice his team has been denied. “Madaling sabihin na ‘ganyan talaga’ pero hindi mawawala yan.” He should know. When former Red Warriors like James Yap and Paul Artadi drop by practice or in the locker room, they talk about winning one for their alma mater. No matter what they’ve accomplished in the pros, one of their biggest regrets is not being able to end UE’s title drought. “This is my last game? Sana makatulong ako na manalo. Alam namin na UP ay gutom para sa panalo. Ayaw namam namin maging biktima nila. Hindi na nga nakapasok sa Final Four tapos kung sakali manalo sila sa UE pa? We will try our best to go out with a win.”
Lawrence Chongson knows adversity all too well. He wears it on his sleeve. But he has no regrets about things. “Life’s too short to live in the past,” he said to his players minutes before they emptied out into the tunnel. “Let’s leave everyone with a message that UE basketball is alive. Let’s play with pride.”
Unfortunately, pride isn’t enough as team play is much more required to win a game. And once more, the poor team play that characterized much of the Maroons’ dismal year reared its ugly head. In the first ten minutes of play, it was UE versus Magi Sison as his teammates fired blanks and turned the ball over.
In the second quarter, Sison once more brought his team to being down by just a basket at 29-31. But a quick UE strike and an inbound error by Woody Co saw the Red Warriors finish strong right before halftime 36-29.
“We just have to play smarter and take care of the ball,” cautioned Fernandez to his boys inside the dugout the ten-minute halftime respite.
Unfortunately once more for UP, their game also took a break as they went scoreless for five minutes and 52 seconds during the third quarter. By the time Co sank two free throws for UP, UE had a 17-point lead at 48-31.
After UP’s first three games, Sison began to play better and with more consistency. In his final outing, he finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 blocks. While Sison was holding the fort for UP, Reyes and Co were in the midst of a dreadful performance.
With 2:24 left to play, Reyes fired away from the right side of the three-point arc. As the shot was short for an airball, Reyes’ face contorted in agony. It was his tenth attempt from the field and he had zero points across the board. One second later, Alvin Padilla was sent in for him. Reyes sullenly trooped back to the bench fighting back the tears.
The substitution was fortuitous as Padilla led a stirring 11-0 blast had State U knocking on UE’s door at 59-65. The comeback had come a little late as there were 18.4 seconds left in the game. The Red Warriors closed it out 67-61 as Martinez, who scored 17 points, dribbled the ball away in his side of the court.
The dugout of the Maroons was quiet for close to ten minutes after the match had ended. The team waited for their coach and a few players who went out for the traditional final game interview inside the media room. Save for rookie Jet Manuel, no one dressed up. When Fernandez entered the room, he went to each and every person and shook their hand. In his final talk with the team, he spoke of lessons to be learned from going 0-14. But if they do not get better from here then the memory will only continue to hurt. There were heartfelt thank yous and goodbyes and his final words before the school officials and managers spoke, he gestured to his graduating players and said, “Hindi pa tapos to. See you in the PBA.”
Over by UE’s locker room, the lovefest was spread around as well. In the days before the game, Martinez’ thoughts shot back and forth on playing his final game in UE red and where he’s going when the final buzzer sounds. He was hoping that he’d get a shot at playing for Smart Gilas or even the Philippine Patriots. And of course, for a team in the PBA. His ACL injury of a year ago robbed him somewhat of his quickness and he had to adjust his game for a quicker release on his shot. “It is my dream to play for the national team or the PBA. I’ll just have to do what it takes to get there.” he concluded.
Lawrence Chongson took a long puff from his cigarette as his players filed out. Although his contract with UE is until December, he isn’t sure whether management will bring him back. The win was good but not nearly good enough. He could wax philosophical about it. Blunt the cold reality. But he wasn’t going to fool himself or his team. It was a win but it hurt somewhat because as Lee felt, they still had plenty of game left.
“Last game?” he ruminated. “It only is if you want it to be. Let me take a break then let’s talk about tomorrow.”
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James Martinez tallied 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Raphy Reyes added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist.
Magi Sison topscored with 21 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 blocks.
Woody Co added 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block.
Martin Reyes went 0-10 from the field but had 4 rebounds and 1 assist.
In these past two years, Lawrence Chongson went 19-14.
Boyet Fernandez' first year of college ball ended in 0-12.
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