Beyond the Baseline Part 2: The Shot

Beyond the Baseline

Part 2 The Shot

By Vince Velasco

If you ask someone to name at least one great basketball game that happened in the Philippines that person will probably cite a match that was played in Araneta Coliseum, Cuneta Astrodome, or the Phil Sports Arena.

And they are probably right. But has anyone considered the likes of a match that was played at the gyms of Arellano University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, or San Beda College? They are gyms precisely and not made-for-television venues but players and coaches just the same, play with the same amount of intensity, passion and devotion if not more.

There are games that are sadly not recorded. And I am here to tell of one such game. One that I was fortunate enough to watch and be a part of. It is one that should definitely be shared, because with one resounding shot, our season was altered.

The gym of Arellano University along Legarda Street in Manila is where most of the Fr. Martin Cup games are played. Many former Blue Eagles have played in this tournament including as Jason “Jumbo” Escueta, Carlo Balmaceda, Yuri Escueta, Mike Baldos, and Tonino Gonzaga to name a few. You’d be astonished at how this small gym could fit so many people watching and the cheering during the game. The ironic thing is they aren’t even from any of the schools playing!

The team normally meets up at the dorm or LRT station before taking the train to Legarda. Not only is it faster but it’s way more convenient. We alight at the Legarda Station and walk the short distance to Arellano, La Consolacion or San Beda where other matches are also played.

On this particular day, we were up against San Sebastian College, a veteran team known for its physical play and experience. In the huddle right before tip off, Coach Sandy (Arespacochaga) gave us a few last minute reminders and concluded by saying, “This it guys. Remember you can’t win this game alone.”

We said a quick prayer then Paul Siarot went to the center circle for the jump ball.

Enzo “Red” Katipunan, a former Blue Eaglet, got us going with basket after basket as he came off screens set for him. He was literally nailing threes and jumpers like there was no tomorrow. There was one sequence where he pump faked two defenders one after the other before he buried a triple. It was an incredible play! Coach Sandy recognized Enzo was in a zone and he kept setting up plays for him. But like he said at the beginning we couldn’t win it alone.

Enter BJ Cipriano, the Jose Rizal University Light Bomber’s main man during his time. BJ gave us the lift we needed to keep us in the game during our dry spurts. This guy is an offensive machine and he proved so during that game. The first half was tight as San Sebastian kept it physical and led most of the way. However we had an excellent combination of youth and experience which would be provided by Paul Siarot, a 6’6’ center from Xavier School Cagayan De Oro and a force on both ends of the court, Joma Adornado son of PBA Legend and former 2 time MVP Bogs Adornado, and our captain Alec Rivera, a former Blue Eaglet and steadfast point guard.

In the 4^th quarter, it seemed that San Sebastian would pull away. But Adornado sank several clutch baskets including one fantastic tear drop right down the middle of the baseline against two defenders. Now we were tied. But in the game’s dying seconds, a crucial error threatened to derail our efforts.

As Rivera attacked the basket, his defender swiped the ball from him and he high-tailed it to the opposite end for what seemed like an easy layup.

Suddenly, Alec sprinted after him. Anyone who knows Alec will say that he is fast but this was the fastest we’ve ever seen him get back on defense. As the Stag was about to lay the ball in, Alec jumped and swatted the ball out of the player’s hands. The crowd was howling.

San Sebastian had ball possession… but not for long. Adornado stole the ball and was able to heave the ball for a Hail Mary shot. But the shot was offline so we were headed into overtime.

With our hearts pumping furiously, we got ready for the extra five-minute period. Once the game continued, San Sebastian did not back down. They pounded the ball inside and when we double-teamed them, they found their perimeter shooters who hurt us.

But we countered with a Joma-thon. Joma showed how much he was worthy of his father’s name as he carried the scoring cudgels by hitting baskets from everywhere humanly possible. And he continued fireworks into a second overtime. Yes, we went into a second overtime.

As the final seconds game down Coach Sandy called an isolation play for Joma. With the game clock winding down, Adornado, who was about 25-feet away from the basket crossed to his right with his defender trailing. He then drove to the top of the key before he pulled up for a shot to tie the game. As the shot sank in we started rejoicing on the bench.

But there was a little over two seconds left. As we got back on defense we were careful not to foul. As the inbound came was received by the Stags’ number 15 (they didn’t have names behind their jerseys), he took two dribbles and with BJ in front of him and Joma in the air on his right, he threw up a shot from beyond halfcourt. 

As the ball hurtled towards the basket, the boisterous gym fell quiet and in those next two seconds you could practically hear our bench thinking “its short, its short.” But right at the buzzer there would be a deafening swish of the ball going through the net, and that was our season.

You may wonder why I am writing about a game that we lost. We all know basketball is about winning, but it’s also about those moments, when someone does something unexpected, something spectacular, or when you see something. For me the most defining moment wasn’t that half court shot, or Joma doing it all. It was that play when Alec ran like heck across the floor far behind and literally jumped forward to save our season. In that game I saw unity and passion. No one on our bench was mumbling and complaining about playing time or getting upset at one another. It was pure desire and support. It showed how capable our team was of going the distance and doing it together. It proved what Coach Sandy told us all the time “you are never just Team B. It doesn’t stop there.” A lot of us seem to forget all this.

My time as an athlete has taught me one important thing, that passion and dedication for your sport, for your team, has no limits. Regardless of place and time passion and dedication will rise above anything. People seem to get caught up in the glamour these days with endorsements and contracts flying all over the place. Growing up and playing the game in a small school and now on team b has kept me humble and shown what athletes, especially my teammates would give for their goals and for their team.

It is an honour to be playing alongside these coaches and players.