THE 1988 UAAP SEASON - FIRST ROUND

THE PRESEASON

After the 1987 UAAP season the Blue Eagles were now ready to defend their title.  This time another champion coach comes to fold as former Blue Eagle and PBA veteran Matthew “Fritz” Gaston will be the new coach as he replaces Cris Calilan.  Last season DLSU Coach Derrick Pumaren said that Ateneo embarked on a superb conditioning program that played a vital role in the Blue Eagles title run. With the help of businessman Ernest Escaler, the Blue Eagles had their off-season training in Tagaytay and in Batangas where their conditioning was challenged and their competitive spirit at a high. In Tagaytay the team went jogging on a very steep hill that they call cardiac hill. In Batangas, the team were divided into groups of three and their order for the day was rowing. The conditioning program helped improve their lower body while rowing in Batangas helped improve their upper body strength. At the same time, the fun and excitement doesn’t end there because in the evening they will play charades and the team that loses will do extra the day after. The spirit of competitiveness has many faces and this team’s drive for excellence is so overwhelming.  There were two notable preseason games that the Blue Eagles had one against the Egyptian National team and another one against Coach Fritz Gaston’s 1976 NCAA Champion team with Steve Watson. The Blue Eagles beat the 1976 champions and the exhibition game showed that the team is ready for some roughhousing if ever.  The Egypt National team were already preparing for the 1988 Olympics in which they came out last. Nevertheless, their team had a seven footer, and a couple of players who are 6’8 and this team represented the African continent.  The Blue Eagles did not win but held their ground, was never intimidated by their much bigger and older opponents  and lost by only a couple of points. This game meant the Eagles are ready to defend their crown.  The season preview of the Blue Eagles was that they were going to repeat. Imagine, coming off one of their best seasons and losing only two players to graduation.  Nonoy Chuatico and Haj Jeongco have already used up their eligibility and replacing them are 6’4 forward- center Rico Santiago who came up from the Blue Eaglets and the ever dependable Gene Afable who took a one year leave. Twelve players return from last year’s champion team including the core of the team, Jun Reyes, JV Gayoso, Eric Reyes, Joseph Canlas, Jet Nieto, Alex Araneta, Mel Basa, Danny Francisco, Albert Mendoza, Raymund Morales, Jojo Habana and Olsen Racela. Since Fritz Gaston is now at the helm the Blue Eagles will have defense as the centerpiece of their title defense to complement the offensive firepower the Blue Eagles have. At the same time a lot of people were saying that out to crowd the Blue Eagles at the top will be their arch-nemesis the De La Salle Green Archers which they beat nine out of the ten times the two teams have met in the UAAP and outside the UAAP.

 

THE 1988 SEASON- FIRST ROUND

The 51^st UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament opened on July 16, 1988 as defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles begin their title defense against the team they beat in last year’s finals, the University of the East Warriors. The opening was held at the much bigger Araneta Coliseum and the Blue and white believers came to occupy a big chunk of the venue.  Feeling the sting of their finals meltdown last year and barely missing their prized center who graduated, the Warriors unveiled a new star in Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena who scored 10 points to lead the Recto based squad to an early 26 – 18 in the first half. The Blue Eagles then countered with JV Gayoso and Seph Canlas as the Blue Eagles caught up with the Warriors to lead the half 40 – 39. At the start of the second half the Blue Eagles went to work and showed why they were favored to repeat as they erected a fifteen-point lead 63 – 48 and everyone thought that it was going to be an opening day massacre. The Warriors then came back as Ravena rattled the ring by scoring off three pointers and slithering thru the basket and with 2:35 left in the game Coach Fritz Gaston called his first time out in the second half as the Warriors equalized 71- all.  The Blue Eagles then scored four straight points as Jun Reyes assisted a cutting Seph Canlas and Danny Francisco got the rebound off a Vilmer Banares miss to set up a Jun Reyes jumper that put the Eagles on top 75 – 71. Ravena then scored from under the basket and the last minute and twenty seconds saw a tapestry of errors which is usually commonplace in tournament openings that eventually led to an ugly Blue Eagle win.  Better than last year’s meltdown when they lost to the Maroons after leading by eleven. JV Gayoso and Jet Nieto led the Blue Eagles with 14 points apiece while Ravena scored 27 points.

GAME 1: ATENEO 75 UE 73

FEU 104-UST 97, UP 110-AdU 89, DLSU 102-NU 67

ATENEO (75) Gayoso 14, Nieto 14, Francisco 10, Canlas 9, G. Reyes 8, Racela 6, E. Reyes 6, Basa 4, Afable 2, Mendoza 2, Santiago 0,

UE (73) Ravena 27, Ve. Villarias 12, Zamar 10, Magsalin 7, Banares 6. Vic Villarias 6, Mariquit 5, Longalong 0, Hojilla 0, Ortiz 0, delos Santos 0, Namuco 0, Halftime:  40-39 

TWO MORE WINS BY THE EAGLES

The next game saw the Blue Eagles sputter once again against another familiar foe – the Adamson Falcons. This year the Falcons have added 1986 RP Youth campaigner Romulo Orillosa to their roster and together with Nandy Garcia, Jethro Doromal, Joven Banez and Teddy Naluz kept the game close until the final three minutes. Danny Francisco this time asserted his might inside the paint as he scored on eight straight points that put the Eagles up 82 – 74 with just 45 seconds to go. The Eagles went on to thwart the last ditch effort of the Falcons to beat them 84 – 81. Danny Francisco topscored with 18 points, Eric and Jun reyes had 17 and 12 respectively while Sep canlas and Jet Nieto added 10 points apiece.  Just like the previous year, the Blue Eagles started slow with their first two games and needed a boost to let loose their unforgiving offense and the game saw the Blue Eagles massacre the National University Bulldogs 106 – 58.  `That precision win enabled the Blue Eagles to clean their barrels and eventually come out with all their guns blazing in their game against another title favorite team of the league, the UP Maroons. 

GAME 2: ATENEO 84 vs ADAMSON 81

FEU 78-DLSU 74, UST90- NU 87, UP 99-UE 81

ATENEO (84) Francisco 18, E. Reyes 17, G. Reyes 12, Canlas 10, Nieto 10, Racela 7, Mendoza 4, Habana 3 , Basa 2, Santiago 1, Afable 0,

ADAMSON (81) Orillosa 15, Garcia 14, Banez 14, Doromal 12, Naluz 10, Valdez 6, yao 2, Ablaza 1Francisco 0, Cruz 0 HT43-41

ATENEO,UP, FEU 2-0, UST, DLSU 1-1, NU, UE, ADU -0-2

G3: ATENEO vs NU 106-72

UP 89-UST 74 DLSU 84-UE 69 ADU 102-FEU 93

ATENEO (106) G. Reyes 26, Nieto 20, Basa 19, Canlas 8, Francisco 7, E. Reyes 7, Racela 7, Mendoza 4, Santiago 4, Morales 4, Afable 0,  Habana 0,

NU (72) Bautista 14, Rey 14, Balotro 9, Lascano 6, Wilson 4, Tan 4, Edade 4, Morales 2, Bolado 2, Artificio 0, ht57-32

ATENEO,UP, 3-0, FEU  , DLSU 2 -1, AdU, UST  1-2 NU, UE, -0 - 3

MASSACRE AT RIZAL

The Blue Eagles started the game with unending hustle on defense and a superb running game on offense and by the time the first half ended the Blue Eagles were up 49 – 31 and the Maroons did not know what hit them.  The Maroons managed to cut the deficit to 11 points 40 – 51 behind a 9-2 start of the second half, but they were not able to sustain their offense and the men in Blue and White just kept on coming and the result was an 88 – 58 murder of the Maroons. Jet Nieto and Jun Reyes led the onslaught by scoring 23 and 18 pooints respectively while Olsen Racela had 15 points and JV Gayoso added 11 as the Eagles limited Benjie Paras to 15 points after averaging 23 points in his first three games. The win made the Blue Eagles the only undefeated team and were up 4 – 0 with UP and DLSU tied at 3 – 1.  After that more than convincing win against the maroons the Blue Eagles went to town by scoring two more convincing wins. Their next victim was the team that beat them in the first round last year- the UST Glowing Goldies. The combined offensive spurts of JV Gayoso (21 pts) ,  Jet Nieto (20 pts), Danny Francisco (18 pts), Jun Reyes (11 pts) and Eric Reyes (10 pts) were no match for the undermanned UST Glowing Goldies as the Eagles took the fight to the Espana squad and prevailed with no east 94 – 87.  Their next victims were the FEU Tamaraws and the Eagles were very eager to beat the team that has beaten a lot of Blue Eagle teams in the past. The team from Katipunan were in total control of the game as the troika of JV Gayoso, Jet Nieto and Jun Reyes were unstoppable as the three scored 25, 22, and 20 points respectively and were not to be denied their sixth straight win with this 106 – 97 beating of the team from Morayta.

GAME 4: ATENEO 88 vs UP 58

DLSU 71-UST66, ADU 102 –NU 94,UE 74 – FEU 73

ATENEO (88) Nieto 23. G. Reyes 18, Racela 15, Gayoso 11, Francisco 7, Canlas 6, E. Reyes 4, Mendoza 2, Araneta 2, Afable 0,

UP (58) Guanio 16, Paras 15, Vergara 7, Manlulo 6, Cruz 6, Marata 5, DyReyes 2, Pineda 1, Mendoza 0, manuel 0, Santos 0, Arroyo 0, Halftime: 49-31

DLSU 71-UST 66, Adamson 102 – NU 94, UE 74 FEU 73

GAME 5: ATENEO vs UST 94-87

DLSU 77-UP 75, FEU 99- NU 89, dU 78-UE 76

ATENEO (94)  Gayoso 21, Nieto 20, Francisco 18, G. Reyes 11, E. Reyes 10, Racela 8, Canlas 6, Mendoza 0, Santiago 0, Morales 0,

UST (87) Babilonia 32, Tomacruz 14, Sichon 12, Salvador 11, Santos 7, Mercadillo 5, Jose 4, Latoreno 2, HT 51-42

ATENEO, 5-0, DLSU 4-1 FEU, UP, 3 -2, AdU 3-2, UST, UE  1-4 NU, 0 - 5

GAME 6: ATENEO 94  vs FEU 87

UE 100-UST 89, DLSU 93-AdU 81, UP  92- NU 90

ATENEO (106)  Gayoso 21, Nieto 20, Francisco 18, G. Reyes 11, E. Reyes 10, Racela 8, Canlas 6, Mendoza 0, Santiago 0, Morales 0,

FEU (97) Postanes 21, de Guzman 21, Cruz 17, Tiu 15, Latoreno 9, Pablo 7, Flores 5, Codinera 2, Burden 0, HT 50-44

ADMU(6-0) DLSU(5-1) UP(4-2) FEU, AdU (3-3) UE(2-4),UST(1-5) NU(0- 6)

THE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW 1.0

The Blue Eagles have racked up six wins and twenty straight if you count the fourteen from last year and are favored to give their next opponents a royal beating – the De La Salle Green Archers. The team from Taft have been making a lot of noise since day 1 and were poised to crowd the defending champions at the top since their team is more matured at this point and they recruited well with John Edel Cardel, George Peralta, Jonas Mariano, Lincoln Lim and Jun Limpot to add more fire to their team. People packed the Rizal Memorial coliseum by mid-afternoon and traffic along Taft avenue and Vito Cruz was at a standstill while the scalpers were having a field day.   The Ateneo vs. De La Salle first round encounter was the battle of the National UAAP Champion and the National Inter-Collegiate champion and when the ball was tossed at the center court the Rizal Coliseum was ready to explode.  The Green Archers arrows where sharp at the start of the game as National Team point guard Dindo Pumaren connived with steady Teddy Monasterio and new recruit Lincoln Lim to grab a 20 – 12 lead in the early goings of the first half. The Blue Eagles were caught flat-footed and their offense had a hard time starting as they played catch up against the Green Archers and when Jet Nieto’s offense started to hum, the team from Katipunan cut the deficit at the halftime break 37 – 32. The Blue Eagles worked overtime mostly through Jet Nieto’s timely hits as they finally equalized the score 53 – all with less than 10 minutes to play.  This time it was Joey Sta. Maria and rookie John Edel Cardel combining to give the Green Archers much more breathing room they needed come crunch time. The Green Archers pounded the Blue Eagles with balanced scoring and good defense and by the time the last two minutes came the team from Taft was comfortably ahead by seven points 78 – 71. The last ditch effort by the men in blue came short as the men in green this time came out victorious and the La Salle supporters that occupied more than 70% of the coliseum were jubilant of their first victory against the Blue Eagles in the UAAP 78 – 76. The first round ended with both Ateneo and La Salle having similar slates of six wins and one loss.

 

GAME 7: ATENEO vs DLSU 76-78

AdU 112-UST 110, NU 90-UE 89, UP 95-FEU 91.

LA SALLE (78) Pumaren 19, sta. Maria 15, Cardel 10, Peralta 9, Bachman 7, Monasterio 6, Lim 6, Mariano 4, Del Rosario 2, Viaplana 0,

ATENEO (76) Nieto 25,   Francisco 12, Gayoso 8,  G. Reyes 8, E. Reyes 8, Racela 6, Canlas 5, Araneta 4, Mendoza 0,

Halftime 37-32

ADMU, DLSU 6-1, UP 5-2, AdU 4-3,FEU 3-4, UE 2-5, UST, NU 1-6,

TROUBLE AT THE EAGLE’S NEST

After the heartbreaking loss to the Green Archers, there was some disturbing news that until now continues to haunt the 1988 team. Trouble emanated from the fact that JV Gayoso played poorly in the game against La Salle. Prior to that game, JV averaged 18 points per game and even had 25 against FEU in their previous game, but against La Salle he only had eight points and even missed a lay-up wherein he was all alone.  Now people were putting things together and were saying that since JV played for La Salle for one year that there was more to it than him having a bad game. Noting that the Blue Eagles lost by two points those two points from his missed lay-up mattered and the Ateneo community was hurt with a lot of fake  news going on.  Sometimes things get out of hand coming off a loss that not only hurt the team but the community as well. Losing to La Salle then was unheard of and there has to be someone to blame and everyone's accusing finger turned to JV. I asked other people in the team about it and all I told was that the team met about this, were affected by the news and there was a big misunderstanding on that dubious accusation. I was told then that it was a team concern and will be addressed at the proper time. Since I was friends with most of the team members I left if like that and respected their decision. That is a matter that the team members will address themselves. Note: I did not dig any deeper since the purpose of this blog is to remember the good things of that era and open wounds. 

NEXT BLOG ENTRY: THE 1988 UAAP SEASON - SECOND ROUND

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1988 UAAP SEASON PREVIEW

ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY

When you win a championship convincingly and only two of your players are going to graduate then it’s a no brainer that your team is the team to beat. The core of the champion Blue Eagles will still be back with only Nonoy Chuatico and Haj Jeongco using up all their playing years. The triple towers of Katipunan features Danny Francisco, Alex Araneta and Eric Reyes with Albert Mendoza coming in if any of the three are in foul trouble. Coming up from the juniors division is 6’4 center –forward Rico Santiago who will be learning the ropes this year. The forwards are also interchangeable with JV Gayoso, Jet Nieto, Joesph Canlas and Mel Basa taking turns on shooting those threes and slashing to the paint if needed. The guards will be led by Jun Reyes, back-up Olsen Racela, Raymund Morales, Jojo Habana and returnee Gene Afable. Cris Calilan has moved over to the PBA with Purefoods and former Blue Eagle Fritz Gaston makes a return to Katipunan. Journalists were one in saying that Ateneo will get that back to back title.

DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

Where Dindo Pumaren goes the De La Salle team goes. Saying that Dindo is unstoppable is an understatement but this year he has more help than ever as the Green Archers go ten man deep which is why the Green Archers are serious contenders to win the title. Just like the Blue Eagles, they won a National title last March after beating UST in the finals of the National Students Inter-Collegiate Basketball championship in Iloilo. Pumaren shared the limelight with Eddie Viaplana who topscored in that game with 20 pts. The DLSU frontliners are back with Joey Sta. Maria, Dickie Bachman and Richard Del Rosario who will be further bolstered with 6’6 rookie Zandro “Jun” Limpot and one and done player George Peralta who is a graduate of PATTS and is having his Masters in DLSU. Eddie Viaplana will still be there together with other reliables Gie Abanilla, Teddy Monasterio, Rafa Dinglasan and rookies John Edel Cardel, Lincoln Lim and Jonas Mariano.  With the entry of National Youth Campaigners Cardel, Limpot and Mariano, the Archers have reliable back-ups to their strong frontline. Coach Derrick Pumaren is now on his third year as head coach and is ready to make the finals an Ateneo – La Salle affair.
 
 

            UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

The UP Maroons have speed, good shooting and Benjie Paras. Paras is now the most dominant figure in amateur basketball and is a more mature basketball player. The Maroons were also favored to win last year if they made it to the finals but unfortunately due to the national team commitments of Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc and Joey Guanio, the Maroons lost three crucial games against Ateneo, Adamson and NU.  This year, Paras begged off from the National team and will be available the whole season together with Joey Guanio. The loss of Magsanoc is big and filling up that role is former Blue Eaglet Alfie Manlulo and rookie Sammy Marata. Other holdovers include Ramil Cruz and Jigs Mendoza who will hopefully blend in with Bong Arroyo, Hans Bayaborda, Fernando Pineda, Victor Dy and Jun Manuel. Coach Mon Bernabe, now on his second year, will still be the one calling the shots for the Maroons. If there is a team that will break the projected Ateneo vs. La Salle finals it’s the Maroons. 

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY

Coach Turo Valenzona is back with the Tamaraws and this usually spells trouble when he is in the UAAP. (Please google UAAP three-peat in the 80’s). Valenzona said he will make this year’s team fast paced owing to the fact that last year when center Jack Tanuan was around they would go for slow breaks and set plays. This means that Andy de Guzman, Olan Cruz, Dodong Postanes will most likely fill the lanes for some fastrbreaks while Victor Pablo and rookie Sixto Mondarte will likely clog the lanes. Valenzona is also excited with his other rookies namely Pat Codinera who is a 6-3 point guard. The other rookies include Ronnie Calungcauiin and Joel Gaspar. The Tamaraws are considered dark horses for this year and can also win it all if they get their cards right.

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST

How the mighty have fallen. For the first time in six years the UE Warriors are not favored to win it all. With Jerry Codinera using up all his eligibility the Warriors will be hard pressed to match up with the big men of Ateneo, DLSU,  and UST. Leading the way is the cat cool Vernie Villarias, Vilmer Banares and Boysie Zamar. The rookie to watch is 6’2 forward Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena who has been good in their practice games. Also returning are center Ildefonso Mariquit, Rommel delos Santos, former Juniors MVP Modesto Hojilla and youth campaigner Rodel Namuco. Conrado Barile and Alfred Bartolome are also gone and rookies Rino Magsalin, Eduardo Velasquez and Victor Villarias are expected to hold the fort. As mentioned by second year coach Roehl Nadurata, we don’t have a natural center, just natural fighters. The Warriors will fight and all its opponents will have a hard time securing a win against them.

ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

This team will be unpredictable this year. They don't have much up front as Joseph Valdez and Estanislao Saitanan are just adequate plus guards Joven Banez and Juancho Estrada are good but inconsistent.  But when you put together a proven scorer like Nandy Garcia, former Youth Campaigner Mulong Orillosa, Jethro Doromal, Ronnie Cahanding and Teddy Naluz at the guard- forward sports then that's a source of constant offense. The Falcons started well last year but got  lost then faltered in the second round, in that round they failed to win a single game and was the last victim of the NU Bulldogs on the last playing day.  Coach Boy Ascue who will be calling the shots this year has a lot of things to tweak and improve but when that happens expect the Falcons to pull out some surprises.

 

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

The UST Glowing Goldies have the big guys in Gido Babilonia, Julian Rabbi Tomacruz and Bobby Jose. Reliable guards in Amadito Tabora and Joseph Marcadillo and able forwards in Rohimust Santos and Alfrancis Chua but are underachieving. New Coach Orly Bauzon has brought in Segundo dela Cruz III the much heralded point guard from the juniors division to strengthen their team and hopefully boost their chances of winning. Last year, after going 6-3, they went backwards by forfeiting four games and struggled the rest of the way. Bennet Palad was supposed to get back but had some eligibility issues and was taken off UST’s roster. The Goldies will definitely play inside out in order for them to get those wins which will most probably come very hard this year.
 

 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Last year was a banner year for the National University Bulldogs as they registered two wins. The last time the Bulldogs won was in 1981 that means five consecutive winless seasons.  This year the Bulldogs are stronger up front with the arrival of 6-5 center Cris Bolado and 6-2 forward Michael Ballesteros. Returning this year are gunners Rey Artificio, Jerry Rey, Gilbert Lascano, Warren Bautista, Patricio Matias, Arnold Balotro and Alex Divino. Jesus Ferrer went to Australia and failed to get back on time for enrolment. Other rookies include Paul Wilson and Rosel Dineros. All that the Bulldogs want is to improve to three wins or surprise the big schools and that will be enough. Coach Sonny Paguia returns as coach for the nth time.

NEXT BLOG: THE 1988 SEASON 1ST ROUND

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THE 1987 SEASON - 2ND SEMESTER

RP 17 and under Youth Team

THE ASIAN YOUTH 17 and under Tournament

On December 25, 1987 the Philippine Youth Team left for Doha to represent the country in the Asian 17 and under Youth Championships in Qatar. The team that was formed by Coach Ato Badolato last November from 259 players and was trimmed down to twelve and the team captain was none other than Ateneo Blue Eagles back-up point guard Rodericko “Olsen” Racela. Joining Olsen are emerging stars of the UAAP namely Victor Pablo (FEU), Rodel Namuco (UE) Jose Franco Juan (San Beda) John Edel Cardel (San Sebastian) and High school stars Zandro Limpot (UM), Segundo dela Cruz (UST) Giovanni Manzano (San Beda) Rolando Manuel (San Beda) Paul Du (UNO), Jonas Mariano (UE) and Allan Manese.  Cardel and Limpot would transfer later on to La Salle. The team won the first three games against Malaysia 102- 77, India 86 – 77, Sri Lanka 105 – 36 and lost to the host team Qatar 69 -65.  The RP Team then went on to the semifinals beating Taiwan 79- 74 and lost to the Qataris in the finals 85 – 72. Cardel was the team’s leading scorer while Racela averaged a respectable 8.6 ppg in leading the team to a silver finish. There were rumors that the Qatar team were mostly overaged players that the Philippine delegation did not protest. Nevertheless, like Jun Reyes, the Blue Eagles are definitely set at the point guard position in years to come.

REUNION OF CHAMPIONS GAME

Since the emergence of the UAAP as the new glamour league of the Philippines, the NCAA and the UAAP scheduled an exhibition game to determine what team is really the best out there. The NCAA Champions Letran Knights took on the UAAP Champions – Ateneo Blue Eagles in a match dubbed as “reunion of champions” wherein former Knights and Eagles played in the alumni game at the ULTRA in Pasig City. Herminio Perete, Freddie Webb and Dave Regullano led the Old Knights over the Bald Eagles who were led by Boysie Henares and Marte Samson and Joy Cleofas. The final score 87 – 70.  In the penultimate match the Blue Eagles opened the game by bombarding the Knights with an avalanche of points in the first three minutes as they went ahead 14 – 0 at the start of the game. It took another 13 seconds after three minutes before the Knight’s center Jerry Ruiz scored a basket. The Knights then went to work to cut the lead of the Blue Eagles as their old reliable scorers, Dong Libed, Arthur Ayson and Robert Ruiz punctured the hoops to come to within six at the half 46 – 40.  In the second half the Blue Eagles started to bombard the Knights again as Jun Reyes, Seph Canlas and Alex Araneta combined to give the Blue Eagles a fifteen point lead 77 – 62. The Knights came back once again to cut the lead to five            88 – 83 but as the game went to the last four minutes the Blue Eagles showed who is the best collegiate team in the country by burying the NCAA champions 107 – 92. 

 

EXHIBITION GAME ATENEO 107 vs. LETRAN 92

ATENEO (107) E. Reyes 20, G. Reyes 18, Gayoso 17, Canlas 17, Araneta 14, Nieto 13, Basa 4, Chuatico 2, Racela 0, 

LETRAN (92) Ayson 20, J. Ruiz 20, David 16, Libed 12, R. Ruiz 12, Santos 4, Bolabola 3, Cubacub 0,  Halftime 46 - 40 

METRO MANILA BASKETBALL LEAGUE

The second semester saw the Blue Eagles join two more leagues and one of them is the league in which they were the 1^st runner-up last year – the Metro Manila Basketball League (MMBL).   The year before they lost to the FEU Tamaraws, this year they beat all the teams in the championship round convincingly. The Blue Eagles beat the FEU Tamaraws  105-85, National University 92- 75, PSBA 107 – 87, La Salle 92-83, PUP 90 – 81, San Sebastian by 32 points 118 -87 and theirfinal games against UP 89 – 78 for a sweep and their first MMBL title.

Important game boxscores:

GAME 1: ATENEO 105 vs. FEU 85

ATENEO (105) Gayoso 31, G. Reyes 22, Basa 15,, Chuatico 26, Nieto 11, E. Reyes 11, Canlas 9, Araneta 6, Racela 0, Mendoza 0,

FEU (85) Esplana 20, Cruz 19, Pablo 16, De Guzman 14, Tanuan 12, Burden 2, Postanes 2, Carodan 0,  Halftime 51 - 40

GAME 2: ATENEO 92 vs. NU 75

ATENEO (94) Nieto 16, E. Reyes 12, Gayoso 18, Francisco 11, G. Reyes 9, Araneta 6, Basa 6, Chuatico 4, Racela 3, Morales 2,  Jeongco 0, Mendoza 0,

NU (85) Matias 23, Artificio 19, Bautista 13, Rey 10, Lazo 6, Tan 6, Ferrer 4, Divino 2, Lescano2, Adadas 0,  Halftime: 50 - 36

GAME 3: ATENEO 107 vs. PSBA 87

GAME 4: ATENEO 92 vs. LA SALLE  83

ATENEO (92) Nieto 22, Basa 19, G. Reyes 11, Araneta 6, Canlas 4, Gayoso 3, Mendoza 2,

DE LA SALLE (83) Sta. Maria 22, Pumaren 20, Viaplana 19, Bachman 9, Abanilla 5, Afable 4, Monasterio 4, Favis 0, del Rosario 0, Halftime 44-36

GAME 5: ATENEO 90 vs. PUP 81

GAME 6: ATENEO 118 vs. SSC 87

ATENEO (118) Nieto 24, Chuatico 22, Gayoso 20, G. Reyes 15, Canlas 14, Basa 12, Araneta 9, Racela 2,

SAN SEBASTIAN (87) Alvarez 16, Garrido 16, Solomon 13, Rivera 12, Quilban 9, Bade 9, Delos Reyes 7, Adlawan 2, Cardel 2, Halftime 59 - 45

GAME 7: ATENEO 89 vs. UP 78

ATENEO (89) Gayoso 28, G. Reyes 17, E. Reyes 13, Nieto 9, Araneta 9, Canlas 8, Chuatico 5, Basa 0,  Racela  0,

UP (78) Cruz 17, Rodriguez 15, Vergara 8,  Manlulo 8, Santos 7, Noriega 6, Somera 6, Mendoza 5, Clemente 4, Pineda 2, Arroyo 0,  Halftime: 36 - 34

NATIONAL UAAP

As a result of their monumental win in the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament last October, the Blue Eagles represented Metro Manila to the 11^th National UAAP tournament that was held in Davao city.  The teams that entered the basketball competition were University of Baguio representing North Luzon, Manuel Enverga College of South Luzon, Southwestern University of Visayas, Xavier University  of North Mindanao, Ateneo de Davao of southern Mindanao, and the host team University of Mindanao. The Blue Eagles set up a championship match with the South Western University Cobras who were no pushovers with their starting five of the 6’0 Calvin Tuadles, 6’0 Roberto Jabar, 6’3 Primitivo Mutia, point guard Mark Anthony Tallo  and Danny Arango .  Although Visayan teams were belittled back then, this team is a powerhouse considering the fact that four of them eventually made it to the PBA – Tuadles (Shell), Jabar (7-UP), Tallo (7-UP), Mutia (Shell).

The Blue Eagles trailed the South Western Cobras for most part of the match, even falling back by as many as 10 points at 75 – 85. Then the veterans of the Blue Eagles went to work as JV Gayoso, Jun Reyes and Nonoy Chuatico combined to drop a 20 – 10 bomb to tie the count 95 – all with barely a minute to play. As the game came to a close, SWU guard Calvin Tuadles drove in to score and put the Cobras on top 97 – 95 with five seconds remaining in the game. Just when the Cebuanos were about to erupt and celebrate a win, JV Gayoso inbounded the ball quickly and gave the ball to Jun Reyes who spotted Nonoy Chuatico darting to the right wing all alone and got him the ball. Dribbling on the verge of defeat, the former NOPSSCEA MVP took a step backward to the three- point arc and flipped his fourth triple for the night that hit nothing but net to give the Blue Eagles the title. It was a fitting end to the career of Chuatico who entered as a champion and left the Blue Eagles with something to remember him by – his signature three point shot to win the title.

BOXSCORES:

Ateneo (98) Gayoso 27, Chuatico 23, Nieto 13, E. Reyes 12, Canlas 9, G. Reyes 6, Araneta 6, Basa 2, Racela 0,

SWU (97) Arango 26, Tuadles 22, Tallo 22, Atay 11, Carbajal 8, Jabar 4, Mutya 4,

NEXT BLOG: 1988 UAAPSEASON PREVIEW

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THE 1987 UAAP CHAMPIONSHIP – 2ND HALF

Guard play Jun Reyes vs. Boysie Zamar

The second half started with a three-point play by Jojo Mariquit for the Warriors to move up by sixteen, 54 – 38. This time the Blue Eagles tried to go inside as Jun Reyes orchestrated drive and drop plays that made Eric Reyes puncture the hole and score inside the paint which was non-existent in the first half. The Warriors offense on the other hand flourished even though Jerry Codinera was still riding the bench. Mariquit could not be stopped inside, Banares and Villarias were nailing countless perimeter shots and even back-up point guard Restituto Ella was humming by adding six points with his own jumpers.  To make matters worse for the Blue Eagles Jerry Codinera checked back in with 12 minutes left to finish the job as he scored four straight points and looked unstoppable. Since Nonoy Chuatico and JV Gayoso were bleeding for their points to be able to contribute to the Eagles offense, Eric Reyes carried the load for the Blue Eagles as he scored 14 points in the first nine minutes of the second half. The warriors then capitalized on this again by erecting a commanding 83 – 63 twenty point lead with 11 minutes remaining - their biggest lead of the game.  Since the Warriors came prepared for the Blue Eagles first five, Ateneo made one final adjustment – next man up.

Nieto for three

THE RALLY

The next ten and a half minutes saw the Blue Eagles finally awake from their slumber and showed why they are called the Hail Mary squad. After Jerry Codinera’s turnover, Jun Reyes darted to the frontcourt and rifled a pass to Jet Nieto on the right wing who drilled a three pointer 66 – 83 that made the Ateneo Gallery erupt with cheers of “One Big Fight.” When the Warriors got the ball Ella missed a jumper, Eric Reyes got the ball then gave it to Jun Reyes whose speed enabled him to be at the paint in a single bound and sank a layup with a foul from Vilmer Banares – and one play 69 – 83 then we were down fourteen.  In the next play the ball went to Vilmer Banares and this time he missed his jumper and Jun Reyes got the ball and was about to replicate the previous play but was  fouled in the act of shooting, the result two free throws made 71 – 83 and we were down twelve. With the momentum now on the side of the Blue Eagles with eight straight points, the Warriors went to their big man as Jerry Codinera scored inside the paint to give the Warriors more leeway 85 – 71 with eight minutes left. The next play had the Blue Eagles miss, while Eric Reyes blocked David Zamar’s shot. Jun Reyes once again attacked the paint and this time dished it off to Eric Reyes who drilled in another two points 73 – 85 for the Blue Eagles. As the Eagles transition to defense the Ateneo gallery’s cheers of “Get that Ball” became louder and louder that made the Rizal Memorial Coliseum seem like there was an earthquake inside the Coliseum. Although Codinera scored, this did not dampen Blue Eagle’s spirits because after another UE turnover, they came out with an executed play that saw Jet Nieto sink his second three pointer from the same spot he shot his first to make the score 76 – 85, the first time the Blue Eagles were down single digits. This time the Blue Eagles were ready for Codinera as Alex Araneta bodied him up that forced him to drive and try a hook shot that failed and Alex himself skied high to get the rebound. As Jun Reyes came down he gave Nieto another pass at his sweet spot that made two Warriors react to cover him that made Alex Araneta free at the bottom of the basket. Nieto got the pass to Alex then Boom Araneta scores and brings down the lead to seven 78 – 85! That field goal of Alex almost brought the house down as the cheers kept getting stronger. In the next play Bartolome was whistled for an offensive foul and the response was a baseline jumper by Nieto 80 – 85, five points down. 

Alex Araneta played the game of his life

Then the Warriors tried doing a drive and drop play that resulted in Jerry Codinera being whistled for a travelling violation that cost them an Alex Araneta free throw in the ensuing play 81 – 85 down to four.  As the Warriors go on their next offensive the cheers of “Get that ball”  became much more louder. In the next play Jet Nieto fouled David Zamar who was gifted with two free throws. While Zamar was on the line, the crowd’s constant distraction tactics probably worked as the once cool Zamar missed both free throws. Jun Reyes flagged the rebound from the missed free throw and threw a cross court pass to Nonoy Chuatico who scored on a lay-up that cut the lead to two 83- 85.  After that both team’s defense became more tight that resulted in botched plays and luckily Eric Reyes ended up getting fouled by Zamar and Eric canned the two free throws that finally tied the score 85 – all.  The chants have reached fever pitch as the Blue Eagles finally equalized and the Warriors are feeling the pressure.

Eric Reyes was a solid force inside

THE TAKEOVER

The next Warrior to feel the pressure was Vilmer Banares who missed the front end of a one and one while Vernie Villarias sank one of two free throws to give the Warriors an 86 – 85 lead. As Villarias missed his second free throw Jun Reyes got the rebound, dribbled to the mid-court , was met by two defenders and passed the ball to Jet Nieto who darted to the middle of the frontcourt, drove to the hoop and scored to give the Blue Eagles the lead 87 – 86 with more than three minutes left in the game. The Rizal Coliseum almost exploded with that basket from Nieto and the cheers of "Get that Ball" rattled the Warriors more because they have never experienced something like this. First the cheers were loud, then it got louder and then much more louder and by this time the cheers were getting louder than much louder! When the Warriors got the ball back Barile was whistled with an illegal pick. That offensive foul made UE coach Roehl Nadurata blow his top that resulted in a technical foul given by referees Rado Mercado that meant free throws and ball possession for the Ateneo. Jun Reyes sank one of two free throws and scored on a another jumper after he got free when Zamar gambled for the steal and the Blue Eagles surged ahead 90 – 86 with 3:03 left. After that play the last three minutes became a battle of who had the steadier free throw shooters. Banares then missed another field goal attempt and Jun Reyes missed his layup and Codinera got fouled on the rebound. As the Ateneo crowd got wilder in their distraction tactics, the once steady Jerry Codinera missed the front end of a one and one. After botched offensives by both teams Jun Reyes soared high to get the rebound off a Villarias miss and was fouled by Hojilla – easy two points for jun and the Blue Eagles were up six 92 – 86.  As the Warriors came back to retaliate Villarias got fouled by Chuatico and was given a one and one. This time the Warriors got lucky because as Eric Reyes was fighting for possession for the ball on the front end of Villarias’ free throws, he was whistled for a foul on Barile. Villarias then canned his last free throw and Barile was given two more that he eventually sank that got the Warriors closer 90 – 92.  As the ball went back to the Eagles Jun Reyes drove to the hoop and passed the ball to Nonoy Chuatico who missed on a drive. The Warriors got the ball and rifled a pass to Villarias who was ready to score on a fastbreak but got sidelined when Jun Reyes suddenly came out to tap the ball.  The Recto based squad had one lucky break as Jun Reyes fouled former Juniors MVP Modesto Hojilla who was taking a shot from the three point area. Hojilla was given three free throws but unfortunately missed the first, luckily he got the second to go in and canned the third one that tied the score 92- all with 55 seconds left.  Jun Reyes then tried to milk the clock down and when he was about to drive to the hoop, the ball hit his foot and the Eagles had a turnover.

Jun Reyes had 15 points and 13 assists

THE WIND-UP

The Warriors, proud owners of 18 UAAP titles,  had a chance to win the game but when Hojilla came off a screen to shoot the ball he shot an airball and then fouled Nonoy Chuatico who got the rebound. Hojilla embraced Chuatico which was an automatic intentional foul that merited two free throws and ball possession. Chuatico missed his first free throw but sank his second for a slim 93 – 92 lead with 16 seconds left.  The Blue Eagle possession saw the Ateneo team milk the clock again as Nonoy passed the ball to Jun  then back to Jun then to Eric Reyes who was fouled by Jerry Codinera. That infraction was the fifth and last foul of Codinera that ended his UAAP career. When Codinera’s last foul was whistled as an intentional foul, the Ateneo gallery went wild and unfurled various “We’re No. 1” banners to signal their inevitable win with 3 seconds left in the game.  Reyes then sank one of this two free throws and the team from Katipunan wasted the time as the final buzzer sounded with the Ateneo Blue Eagles winning their first UAAP Men’s Basketball title. It was the first championship for  all sports for the Ateneo in the UAAP and this one did not come out overnight because it was a long process of putting the right pieces together. Finally the Blue Eagles have redeemed themselves from that NCAA debacle ten years ago and this championship is the hardest one to get.

The Comeback Kings! The 1987 UAAP Champs  - Ateneo Blue Eagles

THE LEGACY

The Blue Eagles win will go down in Philippines basketball history as the best comeback in all of basketball. The Blue Eagles limited the Warriors to one field goal in the last eight minutes of the game. The defense of the Blue Eagles made the Warriors miss four field goals, commit five turnovers and missed five free throws in crunch time. Eric Reyes had a solid game by scoring 23 points and providing the inside presence that the Eagles needed. Alex Araneta put the cuffs on Jerry Codinera, outhustled him, out jumped and had the national team starting center useless in the final six minutes. Jet Nieto sparked the run by scoring eight of this 15 points in the magical 22 – 2 run of the Blue Eagles. Prior to Nieto’s three pointer he had missed his shot before, and like all shooters the only thing in his mind is that he has to make baskets, hit the shot and not think of missed opportunities, thankfully he ignited the rally. Lastly, Jun Reyes was all heart by scoring 15 points, issuing 13 timely assists and grabbing five important rebounds to offset whatever advantage the Warriors had.  The Warriors were ready for the game, their defense was good, their offense was great but what they weren’t ready was the Ateneo crowd. I had a casual talk with Seph Canlas after their last game in the eliminations and I told him in jest "hope someone gets injured!" Referring to the non bearing UE vs UP game after theirs. He answered with a big NO!!! Then he added! "It would be best that we beat them that they are complete so that they don't have any excuses that they lost!" Seph Canlas is a man of this word.The Ateneo Blue Eagles not only has a champion team but a champion crowd as well.  The monumental victory helped resuscitate the Ateneo Basketball program that was dormant the past decade and the win just showed that one should always be ready when called upon – next man up!

THE FINALS

ATENEO (94) E. Reyes 23, G. Reyes 15, Nieto 15, Chuatico 9, Gayoso 9, Canlas 8, Jeongco 6, Araneta 5, Basa 4, Racela 0,

UE (92) Villarias 17, Banares 16, Mariquit 13, Codinera 10, Zamar 8, Bartolome 5, Hojilla 2, Halftime 51 – 38 

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THE 1987 UAAP CHAMPIONSHIP

While the Blue Eagles were busy preparing for the Finals for the first time, the first setback  came in the news that ace rookie center Danny Francisco was rushed to the hospital because of complications with his lungs.  The news really sent negative vibes to the Ateneo community because the feeling was that we would not be able to match up with the ace center of the Warriors, Jerry Codinera, who scored 32 points the last time around the two teams met.  The team’s answer – next man up – Alex Araneta will be ready to play more minutes against Codinera! The school had another cheer rally to invite everyone to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum for the first finals appearance of the Blue Eagles since losing that 1977 closed-door title game in the NCAA and it took ten years for the Blue Eagles to get there.

When: October 4, 1987, where: Rizal Memorial Coliseum who: Ateneo students and alumni: 90 % the capacity of the RMC! They came in droves, the Blue Eagle fanatics who have been following the core of the team since they were Blue Eaglets! The hecklers, the new fanatics who did not go to the Ateneo HS but have been following the Blue Eagles flight and were there watching the games leading to the championship game. The Alumni, new and old specially the ones who were frustrated not to have cheered the Blue Eagles in that fateful closed-door game.  The decades old Coliseum named after an Ateneo Alumnus was packed to the rafters and the Ateneans are ready to cheer their heart out for their first UAAP Finals. Prior to the Men’s Championship game, the Ateneo Women’s Basketball team made it to the finals but unfortunately lost to the more experienced UST Women’s Basketball team. Nevertheless, the women’s team led by point guard Mitch Lazaro, two sport star Frannie Severino, Luisa Kimpo and our own scoring machine Peachy Cheng  showed class in their loss to the UST belles. Peachy Cheng to my knowledge is the first and only Atenean to score 40 points in the UAAP. She scored 40 when Lady Eagles lost to FEU 85 -73 in their seventh game and also scored 39 points in their opening day win against UE 65 – 59. Peachy is the first woman to be included in the prestigious Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame.

THE FIRST HALF

The Blue Eagles started with Alex Araneta at center, Jun Reyes and Nonoy Chuatico as the guards while JV Gayoso and Seph Canlas started at the forward positions. Canlas was inserted to the frontline so that Eric Reyes can double back as center since Danny Francisco will not be around.   On the other side of the court, Jerry Codinera starts in the middle, Conrado Barile and Vilmer Banares while David Zamar and Vernie Villarias are at the guard positions.   Again, coaching the Warriors is veteran Coach Roehl Nadurata who has come back from the middle east to lead the Warriors for their 19^th title, the one they did not get the previous year. When the game finally started the Blue Eagles opened with a field goal by JV Gayoso  but after that became flat with misses on the drive and was forced to four immediate turnovers.   On the other side of the court Conrado Barile started things for the Warriors with Zamar, Banares and Codinera backing him up to go up 10- 2 in the early stages of the game.  Since Nonoy Chuatico and JV Gayoso burned the Warriors in their last two games the recto based squad closed the lanes for Gayoso that resulted in missed field goals and started with a box and one to force Chuatico to misses from the outside. What UE was doing was giving Ateneo the outside shot and was egging them to take it and not drive to the basket which they did with much success the first two games. Because of this the Blue Eagles became reactive in plays while poor execution and poor shot selection on the half-court game showed that the Blue Eagles were neophytes in the finals. The only silver lining in the first half of the  Blue Eagles was that Jerry Codinera was whistled with three fouls. It was then that the warriors unleashed their surprise package in their back-up center Jojo Mariquit in the last ten minutes of the game. Since Mariquit just spelled Codinera sparingly before, this time he got more minutes and scored six points on jump hooks, grabbed some rebounds and help stem the tide as the Warriors went to Barile who exploded for 11 points, Banares and Villarias who each got nine points for a 51 – 38 halftime lead.

NEXT BLOG: THE 1987 UAAPCHAMPIONSHIP - SECOND HALF

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