Bleachers' Brew #102 The Underdogs

(This appears in my Monday, April 7, 2008 column in the sports section of Business Mirror.)


The old coach had some words of advice for the young and upcoming one.

“After a player’s fourth year in college, ask him if he’s coming back to play in his final year of eligibility or if he’s turning pro. Let them make the decision.”

That was the first nugget of wisdom that the late and long-time National University basketball coach Sonny Paguia imparted to Manny Dandan who was tapped to take his place on the Bulldogs bench in 1998 after battling a lingering illness.

As far as Paguia and the school was concerned, anyone who donned their school’s colors were students first and athletes second. In many ways, the smallness of the school (at that time Paguia handed the reins over to Dandan the university was about to celebrate its centennial), its vision and its meager sports budget dictated this policy. When one heard, “NU Bulldogs,” it immediately connoted a condescending and at once belittling term… “league doormats.”

It’s a painful tag to earn the sobriquet of the Philippines’ version of the hapless and sad sack Washington Generals, the Harlem Globetrotters’ eternal whipping boys. But the comparison ends there for NU does a little whipping of its own.

Coach Sonny’s second piece of advice was the overriding factor: “During a player’s first four years in school, make sure he graduates and that you train him so you can whip the boy to be a man.”

It’s something that former player Romulo Austria knows so well. One time a game conflicted with an exam. For Coach Sonny, it was a non-issue. Austria took the test and graduated on time. He is now a licensed civil engineer.

“In those four years, our students are expected to have completed their academic requirements,” explained Dandan. “By their fifth year if they need to concentrate on their career in the Philippine Basketball League or in the pros, who are we to stop them? They have dependents to consider.”

The volleyball coach Juanito Candoy Jr, is another venerable institution in the Sampaloc-based school He’s been at the job for 25 years in dual roles of Physical Education instructor and mentor of the men’s and women’s teams. “One of the biggest problems we have is inculcating school pride,” says the affable coach who always has a ready smile for everyone. “Kadalasan we get our players from the intramurals. If we’re able to recruit, they are those who have not been accepted by the bigger programs. So meron na silang blow sa self-estem nila. So that’s another concern. Getting them to raise their confidence.”

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. When NU fielded a strong team in the late 90’s with Danny Ildefonso and Lordy Tugade leading the way, they went into every match with a chip on their shoulder. However, consistency was the problem as they got up to play with the bigger schools but played lackadaisically against the lower seeded teams. “Pero okay na yung mundo namin,” recounted Ildefonso. “Simple lang kami. Masarap yung feeling na panalo tapos sumasalubong yung mga schoolmates mo at magme-merienda kami ng pancit bihon.”

For former point guard Froilan Baguion who now plays for Welcoat in the Philippine Basketball Association, he thought that the highest he could aspire for was playing in the inter-barangay leagues in Navotas. When a friend invited him to try out in Manila, he found himself cut by the University of the East and University of Manila. “Importante sa akin makakuha ng pagkakataon makapasok sa college at makapagbasketbol,” said the feisty point guard who was later named to the Mythical Five Selection (and Most Improved Player in 2002 season of Universities Athletics Association of the Philippines. “Hindi naman kami mayaman at ito yung pagkakataon na tulungan ang pamilya ko. Sa team ko noon (with teammates Jeff Napa, Rey Mendoza, and Alfie Grijaldo), sigaw namin na sasakmalin ng bulldogs yung mga kalaban.”

Coach Juanito related the sad plight of Raymond Franza, the setter for the current men’s volleyball who doesn’t exactly come from a well-off family. “Sometimes he comes to practice not having eaten. But his teammates come to the rescue by sharing what they can for his breakfast. The upside is that it builds character for the team and it makes them closer and more determined to rise above their current state. So we always tell them to work on their studies because sa basketball lang naman ang may pera tapos hindi pa lahat nabibigyan ng chance umangat sa PBA. It’s a learning experience for us coaches and teachers as well.”

The help sometimes comes from unexpected quarters. NU’s two PBA superstars – Ildefonso and Tugade – are like Santa Clauses in high-tops for they routinely visit their alma mater bearing sacks full of sneakers, socks, and other basketball equipment. Baguion who now has the means to provide for his family says that when he establishes a more secure contract, he will do his share for his old school: “Pinakita lang ako ng kabaitan ng mg tao sa NU, sana nga makatulong na rin ako.”

Vice President for Administration Bobby Paguia confirmed that things might be looking up for the school’s varsity teams. “Hopefully we’ll see the upgrade on the facilities happen soon.”

Confirmed Dandan, “Dahil sa wastong facilities, magkakaroon kami ng kakayahan mahukay ng husto yung abilidad ng mga bata. We’re also looking at sustenance and nutrition programs that will not only improve their health but their frame of mind. It will complement the grassroots program that we have installed. It will also allow the high school players to move up to the senior ranks para meron fluidity sa program. We are never going to win the race for the blue chip recruits, but we’ll always try to come up with a competitive team backed up by some finds.”

Dr. Arline Royo, NU’s indefatigable Athletic Director who also serves as the school’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar tries to be present in every single game of all the teams. Prior to her recent angioplasty from which she is recovering, she said, “We may not have much in terms of funds, but we try to compensate in other ways. And one of them is to provide a family atmosphere for all. And sometimes an audience for or athletes means a lot to them.”

But those “doormat” days will soon be over for these underdogs. “We’re bringing in the younger generation to manage the school and slowly take over,” said Bobby Paguia. “With the new coaches and a better program, NU will be more competitive.”

And that’s not a word of advice. It’s fair warning.

Speedy recovery to Dr. Arline Royo. Thanks to coaches Manny & Juanito and to Tito Bobby. To Froi Baguion, Danny Ildefonso, and Jeff Napa.