National University vs. Adamson University Round Two

First, Last, and Always
The battle to go out a winner
by rick olivares

This is one of those seasons that seemed to take forever to start. Then when it did, it became agonizingly slow with all the losing. And at the end, they wished they had a few more games left in them.

The Adamson Falcons and National University Bulldogs were in locker rooms across each other at the Araneta Coliseum. Both toted identical 2-11 records heading into the match. On each of their white boards was a simple message – “win one more.”

In the huddle of NU, Jay Jahnke, playing in his final game was so pumped up as he led his team in a resounding “Bulldogs.” But his effort at first did not match his desire as he lapsed into foul trouble and left the game to be run by Michael Luy and Jerome Tungcul. At the half, Coach Manny Dandan let Jeff Napa and Rico Perez do the initial debriefing. The two assistants railed at the team’s inability to execute what they’ve practiced long and hard. Then Dandan scored Edwin Asoro’s three traveling errors. “Pare naman, pinituhan ka na pinipilit mo pa. I need you to score not to add to our turnovers,” pointed out the frustrated coach.

Over at the Adamson side, Coach Leo Austria was pleasantly surprised when graduating players Paul Gonzalgo and Marc Agustin spoke up, “Sa mga maiiwan na players, ‘wag niyo gagayahin mga mali namin. Nakita niyo na ang pwede mangyari.”

“O, manalo tayo para sa school natin, sa mga sumosoporta sa atin, at sa mga graduating players natin,” cried Austria. “One, two, three…”

“Falcons!”

For NU, the season has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. New management, new equipment, and a new kind of pressure. They're losing a chunk of their offense and defense as Jahnke, Asoro, and Raymond Aguilar will be playing their last UAAP game. Among the remaining players, there’s a measure of fear what with new recruits coming in. Will they even make next year’s squad? They’ll think of it in a few weeks. For now, it’s trying to stay out of the cellar.

As the team filed out of the dugout at the half, Dandan sat in one of the cubicles and smoked a cancer stick. “Hopefully, we’ll see better results for the team next year,” he said with an air of hope. “But we should take off by 2010.”

That is if he’ll still be around. NU Athletic Director Junel Baculi, his impassive look difficult to fathom, sat in a nearby chair. In his amateur days as a Mapua Cardinal, he was a firebrand. And he brought that same kind of intensity to his stint with Philips and later as coach of PCU, Hapee, and Welcoat among others, He was a guard but played with a linebacker’s ferocity. On the opposite side of the court for Adamson was an old nemesis, Jing Ruiz, the Letran Knight who he had many a memorable battle with. Baculi is to deliver a report to management after the season -- after this game -- was over.

Adamson was flying on broken wings. The thing one has to know about the lower tier schools in the UAAP pecking order is that they chafe at the inability to get calls. “It’s our status,” bemoaned on official who refused to be identified. “We’re not a rich school.” The row with the Commissioner – born out of the loss to La Salle -- had not subsided. Controversy is in the eyes of all the beholders.

Jan Colina, despite it being his sophomore year on the team, can be a bundle of nerves. He’s just a small town boy with big city dreams. When he makes mistakes, he shrinks. Coach Leo Austria has been trying to build his confidence. “Watch out next year,” promised Mr. Miracle.

The coach scored a direct hit when he said that there isn't one Falcon on any PBL line-up. “You’ll get an invitation if you play well in the UAAP,” noted the former PBA Rookie of the Year. “People will remember you in the UAAP not in the PBL. Ticket niyo yan sa pros.”

He shook his head at the talent of Gonzalgo and Agustin. “Magaling. Pero sana nung isang taon pa sila nagpakita ng gilas. Eh, papano ngayon yan?”

Once on the floor, the Bulldogs are unable to make any headway as the Falcons threaten to turn the match into a laugher. Their inability to finish on the break or even make their free throws told in the end as Adamson notched win #3 68-57.

The Bulldogs were once more in that familiar position of being in the bottom of the standings.

The white board in the NU locker room was clean. The diagrams long since erased. There were thanks going on around but there were some heads shaking in dismay. Within the next few days, there's going to be some new names on the wall.

Over at the Adamson side, there were no words but numbers: “3-11.” And the room despite the muted cheers had smiling faces all around. The trying times can do a number on you. But Austria wishes he could have done more not just for the school but for Gonzalgo and Agustin.

“Hindi namin na achieve yung gusto namin which is to be a real contender,’ apologized Austria. “We have to build on this and get better.”

Yup. And next season will take forever to start.

Note:
For NU, thanks to Coach Manny Dandan and his staff, the Sys, Junel Baculi, Mr. Bam Paguia, Dr. Arline Royo, and the Bulldogs for their insights, stories, and sharings. Good luck, Jay! Jessey, I owe ya one.

For Adamson, thanks to Coach Leo Austria, Mr. Roel De La Rosa, and Leo Canuday for their frankness, openness, and ideas. We'll expand the story soon.