The game of life with Borgie Hermida

The game of life with Borgie Hermida

by rick olivares

When you watch the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, there’s this familiar college star on the sidelines. No, Borgie Hermida, former San Beda Red Lions star point guard isn’t going to check in for the Bataan Risers… he’s there to provide steady logistical and managerial support for the MPBL team.

Sometimes, it is hard to believe that he’s hung up his sneakers. Not when teammates Ogie Menor and JR Taganas are still plying their trade in the MPBL or the PBA.

When he was playing for San Beda, Hermida was a part of the three-peat champions from 2006-08 that ended a 28-year NCAA title drought. Then in his last year, the Red Lions made even bigger history by winning the title once more in 2010 via an 18-0 sweep.

Hermida though admits it wasn’t an easy decision to stop playing. He was drafted by Barako Bull in 2010 and also played for Shopinas and NLEX. However, the minutes were hard to come by and staring at Borgie was the sobering reality that his PBA career could be over.

“It is also my fault,” he humbly disclosed. “I entered the pros not really ready. Ibang iba sa college ball. Akala ko kaya ko kasi nung nasa college ako yung nang mamatanda pero pagdating sa pros, ako yung minamama. This is what I can share also to the young players – don’t rush going to the pros. Prepare yourself first.”

“It is hard for a player to get drafted then sit on the bench. That is why the MPBL is perfect because you get the chance to really prepare. But of course, if you think that you are ready then go.”

Hermida struggled with the notion that basketball was over. “For three-fourths of my life, I was devoted to playing basketball then it was over. I didn’t know what to do at that time. It helped that my faith in God kept me going. Naniniwala ako na whatever happens is for a reason that will be unveiled in time.”

Then came an offer from left field. NLEX offered Hermida a chance to handle its D-League team. “I was happy and thankful because my work was still basketball related and I was enjoying myself,” bared Borgie. “And nadala ko sa D-League yung suwerte when I was playing because we won two D-League championships. Hopefully, magiging tatlo dito sa Bataan Risers sa MPBL.”

“I am very happy with Bataan,” he beamed of working with his new team. We started from scratch then our team owner, Bong Zubiri, fully supports the formation of a team that will compete. He is generous and it makes my job easier knowing that this is not a multi-company owned team. He is so generous to the players that they all want to play hard for him, the team, and Bataan. We have built harmony within the team and yung samahan, malalim na, from management to the coaches to the players and utility men.”

Regarding Bataan province, the support is no less huge. “Ang sarap maglaro sa homecourt ng Risers,” enthused Hermida. “Buong buo ang support for the Risers from our LGU partners like Governor Abet Garcia, Vice Governor Cristina Garcia, Congresswoman Geraldine Roman, and Congressman Joet Garcia. Hopefully, we can give them and the whole province a championship.”

Speaking of lucky streaks, Hermida recently hit another home run when he recently got engaged to his girlfriend, Mainey Dela Cruz. “We met back in 2011 but only became a couple in 2014 after college. “Ever since I met her, I kept praying that she will be the woman I would marry.”

And that future is now.

“We are about to enter the next chapter of our lives and face the altar. It is something to look forward to. I’m excited to be married with the most remarkable woman.”

With the Bataan Risers on an 11-game winning tear, and his engagement, things are looking up for Borgie Hermida.

When you give your life and take no shortcuts to the game, it rewards you back. He might not have had a career the way he envisioned it to be. But you know… life isn’t so bad.

You see… good things happen to good guys.

My thoughts about the Bataan Risers’ win over the Pasay Voyagers

My thoughts about the Bataan Risers’ win over the Pasay Voyagers

by rick olivares

It was a huge 77-60 win by Bataan over Pasay for their 11^th straight win in 12 outings in the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu’s Cup.

Here are my thoughts about that huge win.

A relentless attack inside.

I am a firm believer of initially attacking that basket instead of bombarding from the outside. The key word is initially. Because of you take outside shots and they are not going in, one might have a harder time going inside. In fact, this philosophy is shared by no less than the legendary Allan Caidic. Contrary to common knowledge, Caidic first played the center slot, hence, his ability to post up. Even when he later moved to the shooting guard or small forward position, he would always go inside first before shooting outside.

As such, Bataan’s first 13 baskets (after that were free throws) came from undergoal stabs or lay-ups.

It is a good thing they had their way inside because the Risers had a tough day at the office from the three-point mark (2-17).

Winning with a different set of heroes

With Pamboy Raymundo, Byron Villarias, and Gary David struggling to score, it was up to Robby Celiz, Al Carlos, Alfred Batino, and Gab Daganon to carry the Risers. And they did. To think that Bataan was missing JJ Alejandro and Gio Espuelas.

Celiz led with 16 points.

This type of grind it out win is good as it shows the character of Bataan

Unavailable players. The stars misfiring (read: Gary David, Raymundo and Jeepy Faundo). The other players pick up the slack against a tough foe. This kind of win shows the character of Bataan – deep and talented, tough. Again, it shows the collective effort.

Only Faundo was unable to score out of the 14 players sent in by head coach Jojo Lastimosa (although Jeepy did add a rebound in limited minutes). Everyone chipped in the stat sheet.

The willingness to share the ball.

Twenty-five assist by Bataan to the 18 of Pasay. The Risers could have had more but they missed some gimmes. Again, this says a lot about their team effort.

The pressure of winning against a very good opponent.

Everyone is thinking that because of the 11-match win streak, the opponents are easy pickings.

Not true. This was a very good Pasay team. They dropped 11 triples. Other squads would have been skewered. But Bataan come crunch time, they came through.

Next up… that match versus Basilan Steel (4-8) this coming November 12 in Pampanga.

My thoughts about Ateneo’s win over Adamson

My thoughts about Ateneo’s win over Adamson

by rick olivares

The Ateneo Blue Eagles defeated the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 62-48, to go to 10-2 while the latter fell to 8-3. The win put the Blue Eagles in the driver’s seat and barring another loss, should see them top the elimination round heading into the Final Four.

You bet both teams wanted this (as we outlined in our preview) for different reasons. I was surprised to see Adamson coach Franz Pumaren send in his bench with about 1:15 to go (the lead was 15 at that point). Verily, discretion is also the better part of valor. There are a few more games for Adamson to play and they still have the inside track on a twice-to-beat advantage (they just need to win their last games and hope that Ateneo takes down DLSU a second time).

Here are my thoughts for the game.

The gigil factor and the calming effect of Matt Nieto

Whatever preparation prior to the game nearly got thrown out of the window during the first quarter. More so after Thirdy Ravena scored on Ateneo’s first possession – a triple.

I get it – wanting to get back at the Falcons that saw Ateneo start on a sorry note after such a spectacular pre-season. Even Angelo Kouame was looking to bounce back that he picked up an early foul that set the tone for his game. But there were unnecessary fouls and even eyebrow-raising turnovers; unforced ones, I must say.

Now, I love the way Tyler Tio has marvelously stepped up in Matt Nieto’s absence and he will run the magnificent machine with more aplomb by the time he is done, but with more experience, he will learn the subtleness of having a calming effect on the team.

Matt Nieto entered with close to four minutes played in the second period and the score, 10-9 in favor of the team in white. That means one point had been scored by Ateneo to the none of Adamson.

Matt only grabbed one rebound and missed a triple, but his presence helped Tio bring up the ball in the face of the Adamson press. By the time he was subbed out, the score was 21-14.

That two-point guard combo worked and with a faster line-up tired out Adamson’s Papi Sarr.

Matt finished with a mere three points and two assists. But his presence was huge.

Isaac Go underscored his importance

Someone asked me why Isaac Go hasn’t played “well” this season. There are two answers to that – one, he’s all right. His production this year isn’t as much as in Season 80 where he averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 16 minutes of action last year. Prior to this match with Adamson, in about 15 minutes per game, his production is down to 4.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists.

The “dip” if you want to call it that, is simply because of the arrival of Kouame who has taken away many shots (Isaac has 66 field goal attempts thus far this year). Last season, in 19 games, Isaac had 118 attempts from the field. I think he is just missing some shots that he should make.

As for the Kouame thing, remember how it was for Justin Chua when Greg Slaughter arrived? His production went down. Of course, you play the Big Fella and hope the other learns to play alongside or off the other.

But Isaac is a smart fell and always does what it takes. His stat line of 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist felt so good.

The great defense

With the gigil proving a bane early in the game, Ateneo ratcheted up the defense. The switching, fighting picks. Remember how Franz ran that baseline pick to free up Ren Ren Ritualo before? This year, he added a new wrinkle to that by adding a third pick to free up Jerrick Ahanmisi. Not that Jerrick needs it because he can also create his own shot. But when you go up against teams that play stifling defense like Ateneo, you need it. And they shackled and stymied him along with Sean Manganti.

And that has been Adamson’s problem. Since the late first round, it has been their veterans who have carried them --- Papi Sarr, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Manganti, Simon Camacho, and when all right, Jonathan Espeleta. Camacho and Espeleta have not played well of late so when Manganti didn’t play well, that left only Ahanmisi (who was mostly stopped). And that is tough. Although Jerome Lastimosa played well, that isn’t enough.

Ahanmisi shot 6-17. That was some of the best defense played on him in the past three seasons.

And when you have Thirdy Ravena blocking Sarr at the rim, and Gian Mamuyac tying up Sarr as well, everyone is going to do their best on D.

That two-guard combo of Tio and Nieto

I like the fact that Tyler started the game. And he has really picked up his game and believe it or not, we have not even seen his very best. He is going to get much better. I like what Tab Baldwin did – that two-guard combo alongside Matt Nieto. Yes, that was that mistake when Tyler picked up his dribble and threw the ball right at Manganti. But the combo was mostly good. The small ball worked and Adamson was mostly unable to make Ateneo pay with no Kouame inside.

The boost of the return of the Nieto brothers

Well, the Blue Eagles are close to full strength. Yes, I know the Nieto brothers aren’t 100% but still they are back. It is good to have those options available. It is hoped though that others find their confidence post-haste.

Has Adamson peaked?

On the Adamson side, they have to be concerned. The bench has largely disappeared. They have gone from fourth best in the league to dead last with 23 a game.

Vince Magbuhos who I liken to former Adamson star, Eric Camson has had an up and down first year. He showed his mettle during the summer and did well in the first few games of the season then promptly disappeared. Ditto with Egie Boy Mojica. Simon Camacho who has been huge has not played well in the last three games. There is talent up and down the line in this team; the confidence though is lacking.

I have concerns if this team has peaked and if they are in headed south. Whereas Ateneo and La Salle have played better, Adamson has struggled. If they don’t right their ship in time, they could even slip out of the top two seeds.