(This will appear in my column this coming July 14, 2008 in the sports pages of the Business Mirror.)
Putting the Fight Back in the Maroons
words and pictures by rick olivares
Jay Agbayani remembers walking the corridors of the State University last year. It was tough. No one looked him in the eye except for classmates and friends. The longer the basketball season wore on, the harder it was to wear those varsity jackets. A 0-14 record can do that.
So much for Maroon Pride.
Aboy Castro entered the University of the Philippines one year after the miracle of 1986. He loved the game of basketball, but he didn’t have the height or the build to even try out for the varsity. “I couldn’t even make my college team,” he lamented. But his love affair with the game continued.
Two years ago, Don Fortu made the trip down from Batangas City to Manila to try out for the UST Growling Tigers. He brought with him the hopes of his father, Domingo, who once donned the colors of the Adamson Falcons. He practiced once for the then-defending champions before he took the Ikot jeep to Diliman and the Maroons’ Team B. The losses of last year didn’t discourage him one iota. “Tulad nga ng sabi nila, when you’re down the only way to go is up.”
For Attorneys Bert Mendoza and Jay Castro, they chaired and organized the Centennial Kick-off for UP earlier in this year. They did such as great job that the UP Alumni Association asked the pair if they were interested in managing the men’s basketball team for Season 71. “We love the school and the sport so much that who were we to say no,” said an enthused Mendoza.
For five and a half months after the UP Maroons’ final game of Season 70, the team was coachless and rudderless. Some players wondered both aloud and privately if going to State U was a good idea. In fact, one of last year’s touted recruits left while others were rumored to be considering their options. That’s how bad it was.
While it was undoubtedly a royal mess, Aboy Castro on the other hand, thought that it was the perfect opportunity to give back to his alma mater. Although a graduate of International Relations majoring in Human Resources, he had found his calling in coaching. A long-time assistant to Chot Reyes in many a national team and pro squad, he thought about applying for the head coaching vacancy in UP. “I was aware of the challenges the head coach faces,” he said. “And I thought that with my experience, maybe I can help.”
Prior to this tournament, it was the head coach who did the scouting, training, fund raising, and even worrying about his players’ living quarters. “That’s how difficult the head coach’s job was,” said Mendoza. “You had to put on so many hats that it sometimes detracted from the real job of coaching. And at its worst, it is a thankless job.”
Coach Aboy faced the daunting task of following the footsteps of a legend in Joe Lipa who was unceremoniously fired from his job, and in rebuilding a team with its confidence shattered and psyche damaged.
In the first round of last year’s tournament, the Maroons lost by close to 17 points a game. Come the second round, it had ballooned to preposterous proportions, a whopping 27-point deficit average.
“Basketball wasn’t fun anymore,” recalled third year forward Woody Co. “We wanted to get a win for ourselves and the coach, but it just didn’t happen.”
Five and a half months after the end of the unexpected dismal season, Castro was appointed as the team’s new coach over a small pool of candidates. “That was a relief for all concerned because it began the earnest task of rebuilding in a small amount of time,” said the young coach who cut his collegiate eyeteeth while serving as a consultant for Far Eastern University for a few years. “At that point, it was the players who were left to run their own practices. The feeling was, ‘Thank God, we now have someone who can guide us.’”
With its leadership and support structure in place, the team now had provisions for allowances, recovery meals, tutors, and a bus that takes the entire team to the game venue. “But that should change as well soon,” interjected the coach who is only too pleased to see his wish list in getting the team back on its feet answered by a unified alumni. 
“It made us feel special and that people cared for the team’s well-being,” said Co who couldn’t disguise the good vibes of the new season.
“When a coach was appointed, he usually got his friends or even frat to help out,” explained Atty. Castro, the other half of the new management team. “And most of the time, that was limited. By tapping the UP Alumni Association, you get everyone’s support regardless of organization or affiliation because at the end of the day, it’s for the school.”
The support has helped erase the stigma of last year’s debacle. Practices are fun again and highly competitive. While the team was hardly able to recruit and instead elevated players from its Team B, there are others waiting in the pipeline to address their glaring needs and contend for a title.
During their opening day win against NU, the Maroons were buoyed not only by the presence of students and alumni but by the cheering of the Ateneo and La Salle galleries that made it seem like it was three schools against one. “Yeah, we heard it and it gave us all goose bumps,” said Mendoza. 
The ensuing on-court celebration after the final buzzer punctuated a hard-fought 86-72 win was like a championship celebration. “Imagine, our first victory in two years,” smiled Co. “That’s how sweet it was.” And during the post-game meal at Zensho in Quezon Avenue, everyone was in smiles. “Ang sarap ng kain namin,” chipped in Fortu.
“Last year, we went 0-14,” reminded Atty. Castro. “In our first game this year, we won by 14. Is that a sign?”
“Well, I don’t think we’ll go undefeated this season,” said Coach Castro. “But we’ll put up a fight against anybody. It’s about restoring pride and reminding everyone that there’s a reason why we’re called “the Fighting Maroons.”
Jay Agbayani and Arvin Braganza are the latest in a long-line of distinguished former Red Cubs to migrate to Diliman. From Dondi Roque to Ronnie Magsanoc to Benjie Paras to Jenkins Messina to Mike Bravo and now to the pair who were teammates of the more heralded Jayvee Casio, Ford Arao, Mike Baldos, and Yuri Escueta in San Beda. And like many of his predecessors, Agbayani has been named team captain. “It’s an honor for me just as it is an honor for Coach Aboy and our managers to be appointed in this centennial year. But I think more of leading by example and integrating the new players with the team because it’s a different experience with a different regimen and routine in Team A.”
Agbayani is currently serving out his practicum at UPIS. The day after their thrilling victory over NU it was like Christmas, your birthday, and when the girl you were courting said yes to you. Said the centennial captain, “Everyone was smiling and offering their congratulations and thanks. Binabati ka sa corridor ng mga tao kahit hindi mo sila kilala. Ang sarap ng feeling ng panalo. Sana tuloy tuloy na ‘to.”
Maroon Pride restored.
Post script: The UP Maroons were creamed by the UST Tigers in their second game of the season. I was graciously allowed into the dugout by Coach Aboy Castro who I have known since my days at Solar Sports. Attys. Jay Castro and Bert Mendoza have been my teammates in the Ateneo Basketball League for years and are my neighbors in Industrial Valley. So thanks to them for the great quotes and stories. UP alum and fellow writer Sidney Ventura for the help and friendship. Too bad we had to leave out a lot of great stuff. Mike (Gamboa)... next time na yung story abut the Gamboas. Mark Lopez (thanks, bro!), Martin Reyes, Woody Co, Jay Agbayani have always been founts of quotes. We'll do another UP story soon.
There is a noticeable good vibe about the team this year. The loss brought them back to earth and they surely know they have their work cut out for them. But the enthusiasm, the spirit, and the confidence is real. Said Coach Aboy, "Gentlemen, we are the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Now let's go play some basketball."
The team broke their huddle with a thunderous, "Maroons... fight!!"
Go UP!
No comments:
Post a Comment