Sounding General Quarters

Sounding General Quarters

by rick olivares

You remember Games of the Generals? That popular board game from a couple of decades ago where two opposite armies – one in red and the other in blue -- try to capture each other’s flag to win?

Of course not. Not that I would expect Gen X, Y, Z, and iPad to but the No Nukes generation certainly does. At least I think they should. Nevertheless…

The sporting namesake of that game -- the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals – unfortunately have been on the business end of a merciless and sustained barrage from its National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) foes that I wonder how long before they raise the white flag of surrender.

In their maiden year in the Grand Old League, the Generals, who figured to compete and make a run for a Final Four slot, finished with a dismal 6-12 record. That was good for sixth place in the 10-team league. Not bad for a first year showing until you take a gander at the roster of EAC prepare yourself for a WTF moment.

And in the new NCAA Season 85, the Generals were scalped by the Arellano Chiefs 82-72 on Opening Day and shellacked by the San Red Lions on the third playing date 97-55! The thrashing was so bad that when head coach Nomar Isla stepped out of the San Juan Arena, he looked so disoriented that he nearly forgot where the car was parked. “That was humiliating,” he muttered. Unfortunately no one could offer any solace.

Their dismal showing in the NCAA was a stark contrast from their days as a powerhouse in the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) and the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA).

There they ruled with 3 consecutive UCAA titles, 1 NCRAA crown, and two University Games championships. The future was bright and the NCAA was new territory to conquer.

Except like Emilio Aguinaldo more than a hundred years ago as he fled the pursuing American forces of Frederick Funston, these Generals have been in full flight.

Right before the start of the NCAA Season 85 campaign, the Generals lost several players to eligibility most notably Cameroonian deadeye shooter Romeo Fotue. They never recovered from unexpected loss of key players as they floundered and never found their form.

Isla espouses a run and gun game. Except that they might as well have fired rubber bullets as they’ve shot a dismal 39% against Arellano and an even worse 26% versus San Beda.

The only department where they had a modicum of success is from the free throw line.

But there is cause for some other optimism. “It’s still a long season.” sighed Isla the sigh of a game reserved only for the dog days of a long campaign but not in the second match. “We have to rally around one another. We have to.”

The problem with Isla’s statement, I wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince me or himself.

And oh, in their next game – the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals are going up against the defending NCAA champs the San Sebastian Golden Stags who remain undefeated.