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| The 2013-14 Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles. |
The Sacred
Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles' season comes to an end
story and pics by rick olivares
The scene is no different from any other where a team
has just suffered a gnashing defeat. The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu
Magis Eagles sat in silence. Disappointment and pain clearly etched in every
face.
The National University Bulldogs just ousted them in
the semifinals of the Seaoil NBTC League, 87-73. It was the second loss of the Magis
Eagles in the tournament to NU. The two squads faced off on opening day with NU
escaping with a four-point win after Hubert Cani hit huge a three-pointer with
seconds left in the game.
They were fine with that loss because they knew that
they could hang with the Bulldogs. They flew in from Cebu that morning and they
didn’t get enough rest. “But no excuses,” said head coach Rommel Rasmo back
then. “We lost.”
And there were still no excuses now. Only words of
pride and encouragement.
Reed-thin forward Zach Huang wore the most agonizing
look of the Magis Eagles. He flubbed a wide-open under goal stab that could
have given them a fighting chance. Forward Arnie Padilla bit his lip. He
carried the scoring cudgels for his team in the first half before Felix
Jaboneta took over in the second half. But that was their problem. They never
got going as a team in the semis instead relying on individual players to carry
them against a super team that was loaded for bear.
Of all the provincial teams that made the annual
hoops pilgrimage to Manila that is the Seaoil NBTC League, Sacred Heart School
was a cut above the rest. After all, they were two-time back-to-back national
champions from 2011-12. They were also Milo Best back-to-back champions from
2010-11. They were five-time Cebu champions as well as CESAFI titlists. Their program
had become one of the most admired – a mix of homegrown and regional talent.
They players have recently become coveted by Manila-based schools.
Center Julius Cadavis was now with the Arellano
University Chiefs. Henry Asilum was with the University of
the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Dave Yu and Rendell Senining were ready to
don the colors of the National University Bulldogs. And Dawn Ochea was with the
Adamson Falcons.
“I think this shows that we are doing something
right,” understated Rasmo.
University of San Carlos head coach Britt Reroma, who
knows a thing or two about building high school basketball powers as he once
called the shots for San Beda Red Cubs in the NCAA said that what Ateneo de
Cebu had going for them was a solid program with the players getting loads of
experience by playing in Manila. “That builds their confidence knowing they can
play here in Manila.”
The team’s assistant coach Sai Bacalso concurred.
“Excited ang mga bata pumunta ng Manila. They see it as an opportunity.”
This year’s Magis Eagles have two standout players in
Padilla, the son of ex-San Miguel Beerman Ronilo “Onie” Padilla who played
alongside Olsen Racela, Mike Mustre, Freddie Abuda, and Art dela Cruz; and
Jaboneta.
Observed one Metro Manila coach who refused to be identified,
“They (Rasmo and his coaching staff) have an eye for talent and they certainly
know how to coach their players.”
And they certainly know how to look back from whence
they came. During the semis game against NU, Asilum, Senining, Ochea, and Yu were
on hand to support their former team.
“Atenista pa rin kami,” said Yu.
“We may have come up short but I have to tell you
that you passed all my expectations,” enunciated Rasmo in that post-game
huddle. “Taas noo tayo lumabas dito. We gave everyone a good fight. We have
nothing to be ashamed of.”
The team then said a short prayer then huddled up for
one last time. “Brothers!” they thundered.
Rasmo then looked at Senining who was grinning from
ear to ear. “Meron kang gustong sabihin?”
The team fell quiet.
“Kain na tayo. Gutom na ako”
They all laughed. The gloom was somewhat lifted.
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| The Magis Eagles huddle up one more time with their season finally coming to an end. |
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| Dave Yu, Henry Asilum, Coach Rommel Rasmo, Rendell Sinining, and Dawn Ochea. Reunion of Magis Eagles at the Seaoil NBTC League Championships. |
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