Who's wearing their stripes?

I've loved APO Hiking Society's music for as long as I can remember and I met them some time ago when my dad was the boss of the local music industry.

Mr. Paredes is here for the next few months to prep for the 40th Anniversary Concert of AHS -- that's the pop group not the Ateneo High School (although they really kept the Ateneo in there). Nice to see you in blue, sir.

Inside the dugout

The Locker Room
The UP Maroons’ locker room at the Philsports Arena is equal parts cinema and sauna. Aboy Castro sits serenely in front of the rectangular room. How he does it is anyone’s guess since the airconditioning unit isn’t working and he looks unperturbed. Either he’s in a zen-like trance or he’s lost in anticipation of the game to come. Almost all the players view highlights of UST, their opponent for the day. A few who sat behind the laptop are tying the laces of their sneakers. There are taped messages of support and belief by their school brethren or news reports in the media on almost every locker. There’s a chair-laden with fruits for anyone to dip into. Hardly a word is said and if there are, they are in whispers. After a few minutes, Castro stands up and discusses the game pan one last time. He asks how the team will defend the Tigers’ Dylan Ababou and he is met with initial silence. Whether the team is unsure of themselves is anyone’s guess, but Paul Sorongon raises his hand to answer. Then Jay Agbayani segues in. Castro then points to the white board located at the back of the room and everyone turns around to look at the pointers.

The UST locker room is a distinct contrast. One player is lost in the music of his ipod. A couple of others are chatting merrily. Swingman Khasim Mirza is dribbling a ball between his legs while seated. Center Jervy Cruz silently surveys his team then exchanges observations with Japs Cuan. Outside the locker room, rookie guard Jeric Fortuna is stretching. The coaches are in conference in one corner. It’s a serious business for them, but when veteran sports photog Tony Lu enters, Coach Pido Jarencio offers a smile and a handshake. Lu goes around and shows his photos of the players all who ask for copies. Fr. Ermito De Sagon, pops in after to bid the team luck. The players seek him out and get his blessings.

The dugout of the National University Bulldogs is a revelation. Manny Dandan’s boys are not going to apologize for first impressions. The players are bright and cheerful. They dissect game strats with almost clinical precision that you have to wonder why that desire and knowledge doesn’t translate on the court. Dandan realizes that and issues a stern warning about sloppy play and he reminds shooting guard Elmer Fabula to be ready. Fabula is a nice but sensitive kid. He can drain treys in succession during practice but when the official whistle blows, he’s a bundle of nerves. He just needs experience, points out Assistant Coach Jeff Napa. Behind those glasses, Napa is constantly calculating. He loves the game of basketball but found himself playing for peanuts in the amateurs. He makes more from coaching and is happy to be helping his alma mater. Graduating players Jay Jahnke and Edwin Asoro are vocal with their encouragements and in the huddle, it is the point guard who leads the team in prayer. And when the players run out, the coach sits for a few moments to finish a smoke.

The Skinny

I cannot understand the boorishness of some UST fans and alumni. Now that the Tigers have started losing, they're calling for Pido Jarencio's head. Seriously, they have not been able to replace Allan Evangelista and Jojo Duncil who were real leaders on that team. Don't even suggest that Mark Canlas or Francis Allera have taken on that role. Is it possible that the team actually overachieved in the last couple of years? So that could mean that Pido got the most out of this team. Cool lang kayo, the pressure does not help the Tigers.

When Jeric Fortuna committed those two turnovers and Clark Bautista decided to take matters into his own hands, sure they looked bad. Fortuna doubled over in his self-inflicted pain as he knew that those boo boos all but ended the Tigers' hopes this season. Let me say this though, Fortuna and Bautista will be killing a lot of foes in the next couple of years.

By the same taken, there is reported unrest in the UP locker room. A disgruntled player or two have been quoted as saying that they are sick and tired of Aboy Castro referring to last year's woes and comparing them to this year. Whether true or not, losing sure brings out the worst in everybody. A couple of players had to be pulled away from each other after an argument inside the locker room. But I pity the team, they've had positive gains this year and it's a shame that some have not redoubled their efforts. I was planning on writing something again about this team but decided against it. Who wants to write about one's diatribe against another?

The only one with no gripes against their coach is DLSU (or are there).

As for the self-serving people in Ateneo sports. You're next on my firing line.

They've made it fun to watch

Nastia Liukin, Kerri Walsh & Misty May, and Michael Phelps are way cool.

It's Nigeria vs Belgium / Argentina vs. Brazil in the semi-finals Olympic Men's Football. So who do I like?

Nigeria vs Brazil for the gold.

Kobe skies

Ateneo vs. Adamson Round 2

The Mutts and Jeffs
Ateneo 78 vs. Adamson 59
by rick olivares

Marcus Tullius Cicero said give the people what they want. As much as the Loyola faithful have been waiting for the team to fire on all cylinders, no one minds the virtuoso performances. But the ingredients to the Ateneo Blue Eagles success thus far are pretty obvious despite their obvious flaws.

As the unimaginative would describe it, it’s the team’s Mutt and Jeff combo that has led the way. But as teams will attest, there’s nothing comical about being in the business end of Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Eric Salamat.

At first it was his temper on the court that got Al-Hussaini into trouble. Ateneo’s foes knew that and they exploited it to the hilt. And then it was his suspect defense and footwork. Now that Japs Cuan no longer asks him what his height is, all anyone can talk about is how Ateneo has its first big game center since Rico Villanueva. He’s made people somewhat forget what's-his-name who left for the United States and made others wonder a myriad of what-ifs.

When Vince Burke entered the game during scrub time, another Jeff who has played superb of late and who usually goes by the name of Jai Reyes spread his arms to remind the frosh about boxing out. Al-Hussaini trotted over, patted Burke on the side, and warned of the Adamson wingmen who liked to plant themselves in the corner then flash inside for a drop and easy two. The master now has his padawan.

In the first round encounter with Adamson, Al-Hussaini netted only 2 points. He apologized to Ateneo Coach Norman Black afterwards and in the very next game, dropped more than a double-double on UE. He sent them on a tailspin.

For the San Marcelino-based squad, there were two numbers that they hoped to address: 1) end a 22-game slide that dated back to the last century, and 2) get win #2 that will separate the Falcons from a tie with NU and UP. The team was banking on their ability to negate whatever advantages Ateneo has and keep the game close. But when Al-Hussaini drained a jumper at the 6:20 mark from the top of the key for a 10-3 Blue Eagle lead (he had scored all 10 points up to that point), Adamson Coach Leo Austria burned his first time out of the game. The idea was to swarm him and push him out of his comfort zone. But on this day, there was nothing that Michael Galinato (zero points and 1 rebound in 14 minutes) and his teammates could do. He had a couple of and-ones from Paul Gonzalgo and Marc Agustin. On three occasions, he drove the lane for some buckets. When his man played him close, he suckered him with a drop step. And when they left him open, he made them pay with that sweet jumper of his.

As he closed out the first half with a twinner inside for a 41-31 Ateneo lead, Adamson forward Allan Santos looked at Austria and threw up his hands.

If Al-Hussaini discombobulated Adamson inside, life on their perimeter was just as hellacious. Falcon point guard Jerick Cañada is no slouch. In fact, he’s one of the better ones in the league with his ability to take the ball to the rack or drill a shot from La La Land. With time under three minutes in the first quarter, Cañada brought the ball down, signaled the play, and passed off to teammate Chesmar Lapitan. Only then did he realize his folly. Salamat, with his predator eyes waiting for the slightest mistake, stripped the unsuspecting Lapitan who had the gall to place the ball in plain sight. And the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ resident hellraiser was off to the races with Falcon turnover #7. Scant seconds later – after the eighth turnover that earned more expletives from Adamson cheerleader Hector Tabuzo -- Salamat saved a broken play, evaded comebacking Adamson guard Lester Alvarez’s hip check, and banked in a trey at the buzzer to double the Falcons’ first quarter output to put Ateneo on top 22-11.

While the meek will inherit the earth, they definitely will not have the basketball court. More so when Salamat is on the floor. He’s the Man of Steal, one-man wrecking crew, and a heartbreaker with his penchant for dramatic threes.

With Gonzalgo and Agustin scoreless and invisible, Nuyles was tapped to make things happen for Adamson and to try and counter Salamat. The team’s best one-on-one player, Nuyles relishes taking on his guard and beating him off the dribble. His entrance in the second half put some fight into the Falcons as he scored 10 points off a variety of shots. With 7:30 to play in the fourth quarter, Nuyles waved off a screen and screamed for isolation against Salamat.

Earlier, the Atenean near faked off Jeff Olalia out of his high tops for a deuce that put the blue and white on top 63-52. And now Nuyles was the new gunslinger out to cancel out Salamat. The Falcon cross-overed but Salamat didn’t fall for it so instead he lofted a long jumper that strayed off the mark for an airball.

Nonoy Baclao snared the loose ball and passed it to Salamat. It was his turn now and he buried a jumper over Nuyles. This is how you do it, bro.

On Ateneo’s next possession, Salamat jacked up a deadeye three over Nuyles to make it 68-53. Rushing back on defense, the pesky swingman stole the ball from a flummoxed Marc Agustin and hit another three as Nuyles was seconds late in rotating over.

That was the last the crowd at the Philsports Arena saw of Nuyles as he dejectedly trooped back to the bench. And the game ended in another rout 78-59.

Al-Hussaini (29 points, 6 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Salamat (17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 6 steals) gave Ateneo another strong showing despite an off-day by Chris Tiu (2 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists).

And inside the press room after the game, Al-Hussaini downplayed any talk of being the UAAP’s top center right now. “Malayo pa. Marami pa dapat ma-improve.”

So what does he want? “Gusto ko na manalo ng championship this year.” It's what the people what too, big man.

Animo Ateneo!

Ateneo 78 – Al-Hussaini 29, Salamat 17, Baclao 6, Reyes 6, Buenafe 5, Salva 4, Long 3, Gonzaga 2, Chua 2, Escueta 2, Tiu 2, Burke 0, Baldos 0

Adamson 59 – Cañada 12, Colina 11, Nuyles 10, Gorospe 7, Alvarez 6, Agustin 4, Gonzalgo 4, Santos 3, Yambot 2, Ruiz 0, Peñalosa 0, Lapitan 0, Galinato 0, Olalia 0, Margallo 0

Bleachers' Brew #120 Hoop Dreams

(This appears in my column in the Monday, August 18, 2008 edition of the Business Mirror.)

Hoop Dreams
by rick olivares

The father was joyous because his first born was a boy. He had an heir; someone to carry on his name. Maybe even do the old man one better, he smiled.

Basketball was a passion for the father. In fact it still is. He played it at St. Anthony’s school in Malate, on the side streets, during the summer leagues, and as an adult, in inter-company games. While the son enjoyed video games like every other kid his age, going to watch his father play was like bringing a child to the toy store.

The kid grew into the game; loved it as only a child can. Father and son would sit side-by-side watching Ginebra San Miguel play whether on television or at the Araneta Coliseum. Wouldn’t it be a hoot, if the son had a chance to play there one day, the father wondered. They exulted with their favorite team’s highs and sulked with the lows. The game was a communion for both. When school was out, he’d play it all day long under the baking hot sun that he didn’t need to go to the beach to get a tan. His mother even had to fetch him for supper just to get him home. He’d eat, bathe, and slip out for one last pick up game even in the fading light or lamppost light that further infuriated his mother. But the father understood the hold the game has over the young especially when it becomes more than a pursuit but an opportunity to rise above one’s present standing. Maybe even do the old man one better, he smiled.

The son never truly understood the game’s fundamentals or the roles of the five players on the court as a youngster. All he knew was he loved bringing up the ball juking and zig-zagging as he set up his teammates. He emulated Bal David and Damon Stoudemire; jitterbugs and firebrands both.

He then tore through the asphalt and dirt courts and wore out his sneakers. He did get the best kicks from an aunt living in the United States who heard about his prodigious talents so she sent him his favorite Nikes.

His father saw potential so the son was enrolled in one of those summer basketball clinic to hone his skills. And as he got better the accolades grew as he copped various most valuable player or mythical selection trophies. But on the playground, the ultimate sign of respect is when they ask for your jersey after a game. I have none left he says of those simpler days.

After awhile, he was no longer a passionate observer of his father’s games, he would suit up and play against bigger and older men. Napasubo sa matinding labanan, is the way the son described the experience. So naturally, he picked up some tricks of the trade.

He was recruited out of his Paco Catholic School to matriculate at a bigger school. It was a new experience for him. His world was the neighborhood and the summer leagues and the game, no doubt was taking him places.

The son never admits to being bright or even a genius. Maybe on the court he was but not in the classroom. But he did like to attend kahit wala akong alam, he says. Gusto ko lang matuto. He planned to go back to his old elementary school to be a PE teacher and help young kids get into the game.

After a red shirt year, he got to finally play for his high school JV team. Notwithstanding the revolving door of coaches for his team, he played his heart out. One time, na-tsibug ako sa laro, is the way he recounts an encounter with San Beda’s LA Tenorio. He’s been on the losing end of match-ups or competition before but nothing like getting his ass handed back royally to him. The father who eked out a living as a driver and who always made it a point to watch his son’s games, straightened him out. Not a lecture but a word for the wise. Come back the following game and make a statement. So in his next match versus Letran, he took it out on the team’s star point guard who is now plying his trade in the pro leagues.

The son enjoyed the game all the more because he was playing with equally talented teammates who made the game easier and more fun to play. Even as teens, they would sky for death-defying slams. They were like an NBA team running and gunning. Like Portland, said the son who noted that Stoudemire, the one-time NBA Rook of the Year was the man who then ran the show for the Trailblazers.

The situation in his high school’s athletics program was somewhat chaotic that its players weren’t initially even considered worthy to move up to the senior ranks. So he then began trying out for other collegiate teams and that was a eye-opening experience.

Whenever a fresh face appears for a team tryout, there is a fear by the veteran players of losing a roster slot. And while trying out for the University of Santo Tomas, its veterans did more than bump and grind him, they physically punished him. “Gusto mo maglaro ng point guard,” trash talked the team’s starting PG who was incidentally the coach’s son. It was a rude welcome to the world of even bigger time hoops. Ganito pala sa college, the son thought to himself as he went home with welts and bruises after a difficult tryout. He understood why and consoled himself that there was still so much to learn.

He then tried out for Boysie Zamar’s University of the East Red Warriors and actually cracked the line-up. Meron na nga siyang uniform, beamed the father who was excited for the opportunity. He admitted that he hoped his son would have a chance to play in the pros and maybe even their beloved Ginebra San Miguel. Wouldn’t that be a dream come true? With dreams flashing in front of him, the father excitedly scoured around for what a pro contract looked like. Hindi naman masama mangarap di ba, asked the father as he recalled those days.

Only it didn’t work out as easy as a three-on-one fastbreak. The son left behind one back subject – English. It was at that point when he began to attract more attention by cracking the RP Youth line-up. Even from his own school that previously ignored him. They even used it as a means to prevent him from moving to another school.

So father and son made known to his new school about his problem. But before they could work out his academic deficiency, the son was approached by another coach from another school, one with a significant and profound difference in terms of pedigree and accomplishments. How can you say no, agreed the father and son. We’re after his educational advancement, promised the coach who said they’ll help him with his academic backlog.

They met a couple of times to sort out matters before shaking hands on the transfer. So the son’s family celebrated with a dinner at a Chinese restaurant along Shaw Boulevard not far from his high school. It was about opportunities and hoop dreams. Manna from Heaven.

And so Tim Gatchalian was going to college.

Post Script:
Tim Gatchalian's wife, Allen most recently gave birth to their first child, a son, named Sean Enzo. The father hopes to guide his son to get a very good education and maybe do his old man one better in the game of basketball.

Old School

When the Ateneo left the NCAA, the Seniors team was decimated. Many of the team's stars chose not to play anymore. We even went through a winless season! But in the Juniors Division, we kicked serious UAAP butt. The jacket here is the AHS's 1983-84 team captained by Nolet Puno. That team began a streak of four straight titles that ended after the batch of Danny Francisco and Olsen Racela moved up to the Seniors line-up. That year was also Ateneo's 125th year!

Thanks to Thor Lim for keeping this great keepsake. And to my batchmate Robbie Tanjuatco, a great great shooter. Thanks for reading, buddy.

Outside shots

I think Spain has a very good basketball team and they'd be fun to watch against Argentina because they play similar styles. Against the Redeem Team last night, I thought they even got the help of officials. That really sucks. No team should really get any help from the refs. And international officiating is even worse than NABRO. So Ateneo, learn from the US Team. Tambakan ninyo before the refs make it a close game.

And how about the NU Bulldogs. I thought it was a mistake to hand the ball over to Raymond Aguilar in the third quarter. That's when La Salle made their run. And sorry, it shouldn't be Michael Luy handling the ball against a team that can press. He has no confidence whatsoever. And instead of setting up Jessey Garcia the bigs once more opted to take shots from the outside.

The theme song of the UAAP, "Ang Puso" by Sponge Cola was originally commissioned by adidas for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, but somehow instead used for the UAAP broadcast.

The Last of the Blue & Whites

The Last of the Blue and Whites 

A story of the 1937-38 Ateneo Basketball Team 

by rick olivares

Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 was like a salve for Fr. John McCarron S.J. The music played on heavy set RPMs was turned down low, but along with the light rain that fell that night, they did much to dispel the heat from the war clouds on the horizon.

A Civil War was raging in Spain. The Soviet Union completed its Great Purge where almost 200,000 people were executed for harboring a bourgeoisie mind. But of great concern was Japan’s invasion of China, the first shots in a war that would engulf the whole of Asia in a few years time.

There were hopes and much prayers being said of the strife but for the moment, basketball was on the good Jesuit’s mind.

Fr. McCarron was a very precise man. Orderly to the point of being such a great stickler for detail. That is how the Society trained him and that was how he was going to apply his knowledge to his work.

He took out his diary and in clean and flawless strokes, he jotted down using brown ink, the order for the following day.

August 8, 1937. Opening of the NCAA. Order of the Day

9:00 Prepare equipment for the game Bring the balls and the doctor’s kit Bring oranges, water, and ham and towels

10:00 Arrange for transportation and meals with Fr. (Anthony) Keane SJ Pep Band should be at the venue by 230pm Ateneo Seniors captain carries the flag – borrow this from the Boy Scouts! A small boy dressed like the cheerleaders marches in with the Parade

3:00 Parade – Be prompt! Be prompt!

3:30 Game Players say Hail Mary in locker room Sit on bench with the players but do not talk to them. Let the coach do his job. Keep track of the fouls of both teams. Keep the Rule Book in your pocket just in case you need to glance at it.

7:00 Have truck in a definite place Get players there Get them home in relays Check equipment Collect uniforms and trunks. Bro. John washes towels and trunks but not the sweats.

He looked at his notes. There were hardly any scratches or deletions. Fr. McCarron knew his job and he didn’t make too many mistakes. Especially when it meant dealing with Fr. Keane, the Athletics Director who he shared a rather testy relationship. He sets policy – you carry it out, was his watchword.

Fr. John closed his diary, said his evening prayers, and retired for bed. It had been a long day. The Ateneo team made the 3-½ hour trip to Batangas that afternoon to play the Batangas High School Saxons in the last of their barnstorming tours. The team did that frequently in the old days as a means to raise funds for its program and to attract some of the best talent in the country.

A bus was chartered at Php 1.80 per man for a round trip and the staff and players cheerily sang songs and chatted during the long drive. When the Atenean delegation arrived, they had a mere 30 minutes to limber up and get acclimated to the dirt court in which they were to play in. The visitors handily beat the Saxons after which they had dinner at the house of an alumnus who organized the event.

By 645pm they made the trek back to Manila. Hardly anyone spoke on the way home as they preferred to stay lost in their thoughts and conserve energy for the big game on Sunday. The team arrived at Padre Faura at 10pm and the players immediately trooped back to the dorm. It was a long and tiring trip. And tomorrow was another long day.

They were then simply called, the Ateneo Seniors. Sports writers dubbed them the Blue and Whites. And their first foe in that 1937 season was from a school named after Ateneo’s most famous alumnus, Jose Rizal.

It was a long game marked by stingy defense and poor shooting. The Blues coached by former player Totoy Bautista and assisted by Tibing Martinez. The team was bannered by Cesar Basa, Bobby Jones, George York, Fermin Fernando nicknamed the Black Panther from Zamboanga, Dick Francisco, Rafael Roco, Simon LaO, Manuel Cuervo, Nene Rosales, Gil Del Mar, and Jess Arce, the team captain.

Arce was graduating and he hoped to go out a winner. As a high school senior, he was already drafted to the senior team to play center. “He’s that talented and he can play any position,” succintly appraised Bautista of his prized ward.

With the game on the line, and Jose Rizal leading by a point 29-28, Bautista sued for time. In the meantime, the cheerleaders – Raul Manglapus, Luke Paredes, and Frankie Romualdez – egged on the gallery for a thunderous Fabilioh!

There were scant seconds left and the opponents sure to play man-to-man. Bautista called for the ball to be whipped around and whoever found himself open had to take the shot with no hesitation.

Upon resumption of play, Cuervo took the inbound from Fernando. He dribbled once and whipped the ball to Novales who found a cutting Manuel Conde. With the defense rotating towards the suddenly open guard, Conde flicked the ball to a wide-open Francisco who nailed the game winner with three seconds to go. Their defense held and Ateneo had its first win of the NCAA season.

It was a long but fruitful day and hopefully, noted Fr. McCarron, the season’s outcome would be the same one too.

The NCAA was a six-team league then after the departure of UP, UST, NU for the UAAP after disagreements over league policy. Yet nothing changed. Every game was white hot as the NCAA had become the country's premier basketball league.

Ateneo was the undisputed king of basketball while Mapua and La Salle lorded it over the pitch. A fact that rankled McCarron. Although from America’s East Coast, Fr. McCarron loved soccer. “Like it or not, Ateneo is not a football school. Basketball,” he finagled as the culprit. “has ruined it.”

While the Blue and Whites made hoops their own province, clawing at their jerseys was that school from Mendiola, San Beda. Letran and Jose Rizal rounded out the school roster.

The teams played a single round robin format and the top four teams advanced to the championship round in another single round robin affair. The squad with the most wins was to be crowned the champion. In the event of a tie, a championship match was to be played.

The Ateneans were deep and talented and promised to be for many years to come after all, they were only losing Arce and York, the expat Los Angelino who was a deadshot from the outside.

The two-headed monster of Bautista and Martinez gave them an unmatched brain trust. They were chosen for their ability to work with the boys and teach them the rudiments of the sport. "In union, there is strength," as Fr. Keane would say.

Ateneo then whitewashed in succession Letran 26-20 and La Salle 37-33 before falling to San Beda 25-27.

It was the Bedans who put an end to Ateneo’s string of three straight titles with a three-peat of their own. And if there was anything the Padre Faurans wanted to do it was to prevent their rival from a fourth straight crown.

“We’ll get them next time,” promised Martinez who managed to steel his emotions.

With fire in their eyes, Ateneo made short work of Mapua 46-33 and entered the championship round along with San Beda, Letran, and Jose Rizal. In their first assignment, the boys in blue got their revenge on the red shirts with a 21-16 win. The Bedans were crushed as the Padre Faurans were jubilant. They stopped the big red machine and they now hoped to embark on another run of their own.

Foe #2 was Letran who provided no further opposition as Arce, Fernando, and Basa punctured the hoop with impunity. But as prolific as Ateneo’s offense was, a little known part of their game was Bobby Jones. He was a harbinger for today’s defensive specialists. Matched up versus opponents’ leading scorer, Jones with his rare athleticism put the clamps on them then knock down a set shot of his own.

At 2-0 in the championship round, Ateneo found themselves playing their first opponent of the season only this time it was for the 1937 NCAA title. Earlier, Jose Rizal had put the fear of God into the team and it took a game winner from Francisco to bail them out. And on Thursday, September 30, figured to be no different.

And for the most part of the game, the Blue and Whites found themselves in familiar dire straits as JRC spotted them an early lead.

Enter some old ready and willing hands.

Former cheerleader Leon Ma. Guerrero tapped his former bleachers colleague Elpi Cuna and said, “Hey, Cuna. How about we help those cheerleaders (Mangalpus, Romualdez, and Paredes)?

They held a huddle with the current Ateneo megaphones and after they broke, Paredes, addressed the gallery and thundered, “Fabilioh! Everybody ready…”

The cascade of cheers gave the team an adrenaline shot and just like that, Ateneo found the range and raced to a 40-26 victory and the school’s fifth seniors basketball title. And Coach Bautista, pre-dating Arnold “Red” Auerbach by a couple of decades, lit his victory cigar.

A few days later, the Juniors squad scuttled La Salle 17-16 through the exploits of Tony Montenegro and Jess Coruna. The Ateneo celebrated with a torchlight parade that passed through Dakota, Herran, and back to Padre Faura.

Classes were called off the following Monday as a banquet was held in honor of the victorious teams. Sun Studio, contacted by Fr. McCarron, charged .30 cents for every team picture taken but no one seemed to mind. The championship was worth its weight in gold.

As for Fr. John McCarron, the following day, he busied himself with the logistics for a trip to Baguio; the school’s treat for its victorious team. He noted in his diary what to pack, the details of a stopover at San Fernando, Bulacan where the team would play a pick up game, and their board, lodging, and transportation in the City of Pines.

It was a long season and at the end of it all, he scribbled in his fine elegant script, “Victory.” And he closed his diary and prepared for the long day ahead.

Post Script: The following year, the Ateneo Seniors or the Blue and Whites became known as “the Blue Eagles.” The were beaten by Letran in the title game. The following year, Ateneo lost to La Salle in the championship in what was the opening salvo of Philippine basketball’s longest and most enduring rivalry.

Simon LaO also played for the Ateneo football team and scored the winning goal against La Salle on December 7, 1941. But the team wasn't able to celebrate because the following day, Japan began bombing the Philippines. The war clouds that first appeared in China had appeared over the archipelago. 

Cesar Basa was killed in 1941 while fighting off the Japanese in his antiquated bi-plane. Basa Air Base in Batangas is named after him.

Fermin Fernando survived the Death March but passed away while in detention at Capas, Tarlac. 

Rafael Roco later coached the Blue Eagles to back-to-back titles in the 1950’s with players like Bobby Littaua, Ed Ocampo, Cris Arroyo, and Jimmy Pestano. He is also the father of actor and Atenean Bembol Roco.

Author’s Note: This is the fourth piece I’ve written about the Ateneo teams of yesteryear. I’ve always been fascinated by that era. It was really such a simple yet altogether difficult time. As you can see, the team traveled to Batangas to play a day before the NCAA Opening. Travel and roads weren’t as developed back then and you can be sure they were banged up from that trip. And the following day, they beat Jose Rizal albeit with a game winning shot – an incredible portrait of hardy men.

And they celebrated the title run with a trip to Baguio. Nowadays, teams are rewarded with a trip to America, Hong Kong, or Boracay. Imagine! The game tickets cost .10 cents. Seriously.

I’m extremely grateful for these teams, Jesuits, and coaches who blazed a trail for us all. And they started much of that school pride we stand for. Here’s giving those men their due.

Animo Ateneo!

It's Ana time at the US Open.

No excuses. It's time.

It is incredible how people think that Fernando Torres’ superb debut season in the EPL was written in the stars. Far from that. He was a star on the rise with Atletico Madrid but from some quarters, his signing was suspect and filled with doubts. They also thought that they had the answers to their solutions when they signed away Peter Crouch from Aston Villa. Ditto with Dirk Kuyt. But an unpredictable system and rotation has pretty much squelched any hopes of consistency and harmony. Liverpool even during Gerard Houllier’s time play only good in stretches then that’s it.

The truth about Liverpool is that it is on the decline. Since the European title in 2005, they’ve placed third a couple of times and fourth last season. So what magic they attribute to Rafa Benitez is nothing but smoke and mirrors. The 2005 European title was several years ago and they finished fifth in the EPL that year and were unable to defend their title in the Champions League the following year because of that. In the meantime, Manchester United hoisted its 10^th domestic trophy since 1991.

Benitez has tried it with very good players and fringe players. To even suggest that they sign superstars is not well informed. It doesn’t work out for everybody. Ask Real Madrid and Barcelona.

So who did they add this year?

Easily the biggest name is Robbie Keane from Tottenham. They also signed Andrea Dossena from Udinese, Philipp Degen from Borussia Dortmund, Vincent Lucas Weijl from AZ Alkmaar, Diego Cavaieri from Palmeiras, and David Ngog from Paris St. Germain.

Is that supposed to strike fear into the hearts of foes?

Look who they lost – Crouchy to Portsmouth, Harry Kewell to Galatsaray, John Arne Riise to AS Roma, Anthony Le Tellec to Le Mans, back-up keeper Scott Carson to West Brom, Sebastian Leto to Olympiakos, and David Martin to Leicester. That’s a lot of (misplayed) experience they just jettisoned.

Almost everyone went to better clubs where they will play with renewed passion unlike in Anfield where they were in Benitez’ doghouse. But who knows? Maybe they just might pip Chelsea and ManU. It really depends on their health and if Keane can really help Torres up front.

PCCL Power Rankings Week #8

Five weeks at the top, these Blue Eagles are. Converting unbelievers are they, as Master Yoda would say. One Big Fight!

Can you believe it, some people are willing to pilfer the Chris Tiu higante standee for Php 25,000! Hahahaha. Now are there any bids on ebay?

Ateneo vs. UST Round Two

The Fists
Ateneo 85 vs. UST 76
by rick olivares

August 14, 2008
Philsports Arena
With 8:02 to play in the second quarter and the UST Tigers down 24-13, Coach Pido Jarencio stood up and animatedly waved to get his troops’ attention. Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao were just substituted for Jobe Nkemakolam and Nico Salva. Jarencio, who was a gunners’ gunner back during his heyday, signaled “the fist” with his right hand. The play calls for the ball to be dumped to the Tigers’ first and possibly second option on offense -- their MVP center Jervy Cruz who shoots at an outrageously high percentage with a modicum of effort.

On that very play, Cruz bullied Mike Baldos for an and-one and scored 11 of UST’s next 13 points. By the time he was pulled out with 1:16 to play in the first half, the Ateneo lead had been cut down to 33-30.

Even before Cruz’ onslaught was over, Ateneo Coach Norman Black sent back his own tower of power, Al-Hussaini, back into the fray. As soon as the Ateneo center re-entered the game, he drilled in a jumper from the top of the key as if to tell Cruz that, “two can play that game.” And at times it seemed like it was the big center was taking on the entire UST team.

In truth, it’s really an old play. As long as the game has been played, the most basic is to throw the ball into the post and let your big man try and score. But “the Fist” is well out of an old Los Angeles Lakers playbook when they had Bill Sharman as the coach and an otherworldly center by the name of Wilt Chamberlain (Phil Jackson calls this, “feeding the Budhha”). Once “the Fist” was up, it was time to bring on the pain.

Pat Riley played on Sharman’s Lakers’ ’72 title squad with the Big Dipper and he brought that bread-and-butter play with him for championship runs with LA (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), New York (Patrick Ewing), and Miami (Alonzo Mourning and later Shaquille O’Neal). "The Fist" has since become part of hoops lexicon for a post play, and in the UAAP, it a sure sign of two points when the rock is handed over to Cruz.

Only people might want to reconsider that now that Al-Hussaini has begun to cast a big shadow on the league.

UST’s Big Man has had his fun and now it was time to pay the Piper.

After Cruz suckered Blue Eagle newbie Nico Salva for three-point play 46-44, Al-Hussaini’s drop step gave the team breathing room in the face of a withering UST assault. The Ateneo center, who is having a breakout season, matched every UST point with a bucket of his own. He scored 10 points and rejected a stab by Cruz. He even sent a missing persons report to España with a block on Khasim Mirza, thus far the dud of the year (after an explosive debut in Season 70). After Mirza’s reverse was foiled by Al-Hussaini, the UST forward rolled his eyes. Why can’t I catch a break, he seemed to ask as he meekly handed the ball to the referee.

Jarencio had seen Al-Hussaini earlier use FEU’s Reil Cervantes for target practice and this time around, he sent a double team the moment the Ateneo slotman got the ball. Only the 6’7” slotman is no longer Mr. Butterfingers but Mr. Goldfingers.

He chipped in 24 points, 5 rebounds, and in addition to 2 blocks, he had a 1 steal, 2 dime drops, and hold the presses… zero turnovers. That’s how far Carlo Sharma’s tall little brother has come. If he had only played like this last year or even the year before... who knows?

Al-Hussaini would add three more points in the fourth period, but by then, he would turn over the scoring cudgels to Eric Salamat, the team’s firestarter who finished with a stat line of 14 markers, 3 ribbies, 2 dishes, and 2 steals. Chris Ti no slouch himself, put on a clinical display of free throw shooting down the stretch to ice the game at 85-76. And the Ateneo captain top scored with 29 points.

While the final tally indicated total domination of the boards by UST, it happens to be just one of those misleading things about the game.

In their first round encounter. Norman Black started Al-Hussaini, Tiu, Ryan Buenafe, Jai Reyes, and Mike Baldos to counter Cruz, Francis Allera, Carlos Fenequito, Clark Bautista, and Mel Gile. Baldos was given the unenviable task of guarding Cruz as Nonoy Baclao came off the bench to guard the shifty Dylan Ababou. But trouble with that is UST is they are a tall team who can cause match-up problems.

With Baclao out on the perimeter, UST ruled the boards in the first round 58-42. Yet Ateneo’s stifling defense forced the Tigers into some atrocious shooting as their poor team play killed them.

There’s a prevailing debate amongst coaches to this day to let one player try and beat them while blanketing the rest. As former Phoenix Suns Assistant Coach (to Mike D’Antoni) Marc Iavaroni would hypothesize, “The more involved the superstar, the less involved his teammates. For every shot say, Kobe Bryant makes, the other guys are saying, ‘Oh, shit, Kobe’s doing it all again.’”

But as Dan D’Antoni (older brother of Mike) would riposte, “Why give him a chance to get off? Let’s say we’re going down the stretch and we’re two points up. And now you can’t turn Kobe off?”

From two point range, Cruz was 8-19 for a 42% clip. That’s eight more shots than Dylan Ababou who went 6 for 7. But with Baclao sticking close and already with a mind of what the high-leaping Tiger uses for a deodorant, Ababou was forced outside where he went 0-4 from beyond the arc. Clark Bautista was the only UST Tiger who shot better at 4-8 with a pair of them coming when the game was wrapped up.

In this second round tiff, Black later admitted to the same mistake in his early match-ups as UST clobbered Ateneo all the more from a rebounding standpoint (47 to a measly 29). “But we got them in the other departments such as shooting, assists, and playing defense,” said a relieved mentor.

Conventional wisdom will dictate that ruling the boards means a big chance to win the game. But with Nonoy Baclao's presence, the Blue Eagles presented an intriguing paradox.

The lanky Ateneo forward from West Negros finished with 1 point. But he collared 9 rebounds – half of Jervy Cruz’ total -- and added 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks.

How many shots did he alter? How many had second thoughts about taking shots inside? Along with the SWAT team of Al-Hussaini and Salva, foes can't afford to bring any weak-ass shit into the lane.

As the victorious Ateneo gallery sang the alma mater, UST Point guard Japs Cuan, who is clearly not himself after undergoing a knee injury, pulled Cruz aside. They were in a similar situation like this three years ago but they managed to win down the stretch where they dealt Ateneo a most painful finals loss. If UST harbors any more championship dreams, they will need the incumbent MVP to bring his A-game. As Cruz looked at the Blue Eagles with their raised fists, he looked at his opposite number – Rabeh Al-Hussaini. How far can the two of them tug their team along?

Ateneo 85 – Tiu 29, Al-Hussaini 24, Salamat 14, Austria 7, Reyes 4, Salva 2, Buenafe 2, Nkemakolam 2, Baclao 1, Baldos 0, Long 0

UST 76 – Cruz 23, Ababou 17, Bautista 12, Allera 7, Fortuna 6, Canlas 3, Mirza 2, Gile 2, Taylor 2, Cuan 2, Fenequito 0, Camus 0

Note:
Bumped into Rico Blanco during the game. He said his new album just came out and a tour should follow shortly. I wrote a story about Rivermaya about two years ago and I interviewed Rico at Dish where we chatted for a couple of hours after their gig. Nice to see you at the games again, dude (he just got back too from the US). "Gusto ko lang... mag-basketbol."

One Big Fight!

Impact Player

From the 7-minute mark of the third quarter of the FEU-Adamson game, Tamaraw Benedict Fernandez touched the ball an amazing 12 times of their 13 possessions.

He missed a lay-up.
Stole the ball and then was fouled where he made two free throws.
He drove into the lane and lost the ball to a tap out.
He missed a trey.
On the return trip, he nailed it this time around (a three).
He handed assisted Marlon Adolfo for a jumper. 44-36 for FEU.
He brought down the ball and passed the ball to Edgar Tanuan who traveled.
He then handed off to Reil Cervantes who missed but FEU got the ball back and Fernandez passed to Adolfo for another twinner. 49-36.
Fernandez dished to Cervantes again who made good 51-36.
Adamson sued for time with 2:56 left in the third.

Fernandez off the time out hit back-to-back threes to hike the lead and end the game effectively 57-43.

On the next play, Alisbo decided he wanted to crash the party and he didn't pass the ball to Fernandez. He missed. And with 56 seconds FEU Coach Glenn Capacio pulled out Fernandez for Jens Knuttel.

On defense, he guarded Adamson's shooting guard and double-teamed Michael Galinato. When the ball was kicked out to the Falcon guards, Fernandez was quick to recover and prevent any outside shot.

Talk about dynamos and impact players!

Lauren Jackson

Kick off!

If you want a sneak peak of the Ateneo Men's Football Team, they have a game this Sunday 3pm at the Erenchun Field where they'll be playing DLSU in the second match of the 3rd Terry Razon Cup.

Interestingly enough, this is the first time we're fielding an Ateneo team with no call ups from the Juniors squad. No AHS rookies but 9 from the squad are homegrown.

So the veterans are:
Alvin Perez - Captain
Gino Tongson - Co-captain
Gerard Cancio
Jolo Peralta
RS Mantos (GK)
Kurt Alvarez
James Arco
Gab Siojo
Francis Mendoza
Migs Tuazon
Luigi Meer
Fred Ozaeta
Derrick Candelaria
Yu Murayama (GK)
And five rooks: 1 from DLSZ, 1 from LSGH, 1 from Xavier, and 2 from Southridge. Our AHS rook figures to move abroad. SO that's why.

That's a pretty good team, hombres! See you on the pitch.

Color It Red

There was a time when Liverpool ruled English and European football. And it took a former Reds midfielder Matt Busby to turn Manchester United into a power and challenge Liverpool for football supremacy. The Merseyside too was also on top of the world from the 50’s to the 70’s with the shipyards being the hub of commerce and the explosion of Beatlemania and the Merseybeat sound on an unsuspecting world.

But the pipeline to gleaming silverware has since dried up. The Beatles have been scattered to the four winds by Yoko Ono, the Apple Corps, and a bullet. The shipyards have closed down leaving Liverpool to search for its identity with the renewed importance of airports and technology which has made the world even smaller.

In contrast, Manchester has grown by leaps and bounds. It has become England’s Second City while Liverpool, though back on its feet, still clings to the beat of a bygone era as it has retained its reputation as a Cultural Capital of Europe. While the Fab Four historically remain the undisputed kings of the international music scene, Liverpool has since produced only Echo and the Bunnymen, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Pete Wylie who are relics of the (old) New Wave era. There’s Ladytron modern purveyors of sound but if you’re not into new music you’d say, “Lady who?” In the meantime, Mancunians proudly tote Oasis, Badly Drawn Boy, Morrissey, and well, Richard Ashcroft and his late lamented The Verve, recent chart toppers all in the international music scene.

Kopites find themselves choking on their words as they used to taunt Chelsea with jeers of, “You have no history.” United fans parry that with an even more painful, “Liverpool is history.”

There are a few titles under gaffers Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez but the Reds under Alex Ferguson, have won 20 major titles since 1986. As for relations between fans and players, well, they aren’t like the old days when they could have a pint in the pub after a match. The biggest thrill for United fans was to flash a banner that read, “MUFC We won the title on Merseyside” and rub their rivals’ noses in the dirt. Now, it’s a brick through the windshield, tear gas if you’re really unlucky or vile words that scar.

The derby between Liverpool and Everton, though fierce and intense, is for local bragging rights. Between the Reds and the Red Devils… it’s combining the Battle for Britain and Europe (the Champions League berth and old Big Ears). It’s a battle for the hearts and minds of their millions of supporters all over the world. It’s Coke and Pepsi on the pitch. But since the 1990’s, Scousers have chanted this all too familiar mantra, “maybe next year.”

Three of the major players on both sides have roots to this seaside city. ManU’s Wayne Rooney is a Merseyside boy although he rooted for Everton. The Reds’ Steven Gerrard came up through Liverpool’s ranks as did defensive back Jamie Carragher though he cheered for the local rivals as a young lad.

This year, despite all the troubles at their home office, Benitez’ boys are focused on winning the domestic titles and in Europe. They’ve jettisoned some of the old guard and brought in a new strike force that should make Toshack, Rush, Keegan, Dalglish, Fowler, and Owen proud. Yet time is running out on the Spaniard and the club’s American owners. Even after awhile, “maybe next year” doesn’t cut it.

Note:
It was 48 years ago when Liverpool began a tradition of wearing all red kits to kick off their European campaign. Ron Yeats was the captain of that first great Liverpool team.

English Premier League start of the season:

Liverpool vs Sunderland 530pm August 16 at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

The writing is on your wallpaper

Here's the adidas standee in the stores. I also wrote the headline for this. Now go use this as your wallpaper.

Higantes!

photos taken by me on a rainy verdammt day

By the way, I wrote the copy on the huge streamer/billboard on the side of the gym:

"1987. 1988. 2002. It's time to add another stripe."








Perfecto if ya ask me. Yesiree! I love the adidas Ateneo merch except for the tees.

If you ever pass by the Blue Eagle Gym, take a gander at these "Higantes" standees by adidas of your favorite Blue Eagle hoopsters. The university just got itself another landmark for digi-cam shots.

The betting now is which is more hot property, the player standees (the Chris Tiu in particular) or St. Ignatius' sword? Ateneo Security says they'll be watching everything with eagle eyes.

Notice the bus with the "DLSZ" on it? That was taken during a UAAP Juniors game at the old barn.

Opals are go!

Good luck to my favorite women's basketball team... Australia's Opals and Lauren Jackson!