will read it later…

Kung ganyan din lang ang pagiisip natin, wag na tayong mangarap pa na makaabot uli sa Olympics.
Kung kay Sam pa lang nangingilag na tayo paano pa kaya kung natapat na tayo sa mga teams na may NBA players?

Thanks and I stand corrected.

You’re right. He wasnt the ROY that year… It was Jordan.

Instead however, He was the finals MVP of that year, also along with being the MVP of the regular league series, and he also coveted the Defensive Player of the year.

I guess this is bigger than my last statement.

Anyway, Thanks Genom.

Take Care of Ekwe. Something very special is in store for him in the future and the school as well. I can really feel that.

Sammy
San Diego, Ca.

Just a correction, Hakeem was not Rookie of the year in 85 , impossible since a guy named Jordan won that award (though Olajuwon was the first pick, Jordan 3rd) and he was not MVP in his rookie year too, MVP was Larry Bird I think during that year.

But as for the rest of your blog, I agree…

Perhaps we might realize the exciting presence and perhaps, the making of a certain gem in our midst…

More than twenty years ago, There’s this dude from Nigeria who joined the US NCAA Soccer to represent the school of University of Houston. He was a goalie. He also excelled in another sport which is Handball.

This guy is very athletic, and has very impressive footwork and timing.

Like Ekwe, He was sought after because of his height. “Height is might in Basketball” as they say. But again like Ekwe, this guy is a straight soccer player.

This Nigerian was approached by the Basketball University Coach and convinced him to play Basketball instead, he eventually accepted and quickly learned the Sport in just a few years. He dominated it. As a result he became popular as a College Player. Along with Clyde Drexler, He was given the monicker, Phi Slamma Jamma.

As a Basketball player during his initial years, He was raw. But his potential for hoops is glaring. His skills and game approach is unique, he’s very disciplined, particularly his footwork and agility is very impressive and unique for people his frame size. He is a seven footer you know, although many observers and reports says he is only 6’10″

The rest was history for this “dude.”

This guy would turn out as one of the greatest people to play Basketball, In his rookie year in the NBA, He was named Rookie of the year, MVP and defensive player of the year.

This person’s name is Hakeem Olajuwon.

He only became an American citizen recently during the 90′s. After two decades of Basketball in the US.

Now, Is it obvious that Im telling this story because of my support and promotion of Sam Ekwe? Without a doubt I am! Heck yeah! Im supporting Ekwe as a Bedan, and a Red Lion. I have always said before, the word Import does not exist in Academic Competition. Though I recognize there should be a regulation of sorts.

And I also don’t believe that our Identity as Filipinos is being compromised by the presence of foreigners in our College. If they believe in the Alma Mater and what it represents, they should not be denied the honorable privilege and opportunity to compete for the school. The competion is not about the color of one’s skin, It is about what one stands for.

It is not about us being Filipino or being Un-Filipino. It is about us Filipinos and non Filipinos competing,learning, and growing in frienship in a game of Basketball in the same token Hakeem Olajuwon shared his role as a Nigerian.

Basketball is International. Sport competion in the name of the Alma Mater is Universal. If we mix the issue of skin color, the whole thing becomes rubbish.

It really confuses me that whenever we get embarrassed in International competitions, we passionately complain with no end, but now that we have an opportunity to have an international player for a teammate and an opponent, we complain just as much.

The Challenge is there for the local players. I like What I see so far. The Likes of JC Intal trying to dunk over Ekwe is contagious, whether he made it or not. Such Courage is what is needed to develop in our game. Developing however would mean versatilty. Every Player should learn how to play three or more positions…. If we can form a squad where everyone is 6’4″ to 6’5 and above where every player knows how to play three to four position, we can be competitive internationally. This is achievable. The thing about our situation however, is that our 6’4″ to 6’5″s are so “stiff” and one dimensional in international competitions because we just use them centers and that’s all.

Those height ranges are considered point guards and off guards internationally.

And so, Lets ask ourselves this question. How did Japan became a superpower in baseball? What was their approach to the Sport widely considered as the Great American Pastime. What were their methods. I studied this case in my Sociology Class and It is indeed very interesting. Unfortunately, I would rather have you readers research this one so you can see my point clearly.

Allow me also to say that there is something Special about Sam Ekwe….

Let me explain.

Contrary to what someone in the site has said earlier, that Sam Ekwe has no competitive skills… that his coaches just use him on/for certain occassions, that he is not the key, etc, etc, etc.

Ekwe in my strong opinion, has great skills as a Basketball player. He is still Raw, but his foundation is ahead. He is a natural shotblocker and That is a glaring skill.

Shotblocking is not much about height alone, It is about timing, positioning, and athleticsm. That is a skill!

Look at how he shoots in the perimeter now, look at his increased percentage in the FT lane. I believe they are skills.

Ekwe has good footwork. Obviously this is the soccer in him. This is the reason why he can easily position himself underneath for the rebound. That is a skill.

In his rookie year, He became the Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP and the guy is just learning the game, No Skills for the PBA?

Would one settle for the likes of E.J. Feil, Bonell Balingit, Chris Bolado over Ekwe? Gosh!

These Characters are better than Ekwe? Good Lord!

Let me tell you something guys and I dont care if you disagree. If Ekwe develops his post moves, increase his handles(dribbling), develop a perimeter game, develop his upper body strength, develop a one on one game, and he has all the time to learn these “skills”; This guy can be an NBA material. A Power Forward for that Matter.

Heck! Barkley is only 6’4″ To tell you the truth!

Tyrone Hill would be his mode. May not be a star, but Its really up to him how he will work on it.

Remember, Hakeem Olajuwon was in the same, almost exact position. The Parallelism is strong. No wonder, Olajuwon is called “The Dream.”

Sammy
San Diego

And Yes let us stop using that word “import” in College Basketball, no such thing coz these guys study, they dont play for money. Let us be “un-filipino” if you know what i mean :-)

Thank you and Fight Bedans Fight!

ENVY is one of the 7 deadliest sins… don’t let it consume you hehehe Fact remains, Sam is a Bedan and Bedans won the championship for us. We may or may not have won with Sam but the same goes to the other RL like Jamal, Menor Escoba etc.

And last time I checked, Menor was the Finals MVP.

Im a Bedan and I am from San Diego Ca. I follow the news through the Internet.

San Beda is right on course. Everything is fair with Ekwe and this new up and coming guy.

Always remember, Academic Competition is a Universal thing.

Thank you

Sam

San Diego Ca

Should recruitment of Foreign Players be allowed?

Why not! There is nothing wrong with it. for as long as it is regulated. One or Two per team wont hurt.

Because If we really think about it, It is the decision of the foreign player whether to play or not (and not for money) as the factor that will make the difference.

Ekwe volunteered to study in San Beda in line of his planned vocation to be a priest. Another Nigerian mehemoth volunteered to study and play for San Beda and he is expected to play next year. Kenneth Emeka Udo I believe is his name.

It is true their presence or tandem will give San Beda an edge, It will assure them of great chances for more glory. But the point here is the challenge they impose to other teams, the friendship they bring and develop in this unique scenario, The wonderful contributions these Nigerians bring to the league are very obvious, unique and compelling.

What if their presence leads to an influx of Nigerians wanting to play here? Perhaps even aquiring dual citizenships so they can eventually play for our country as well? Is there anyone still complaining?

People would say, The Playing field is no longer equal… Well in any tournament, it is never equal. There is no such thing.

That’s why we have strong teams and weak teams and the element of challenge and competion is there. But the point here is, Is it fair? It still is. No Violations are being committed. Is it productive?, Of course it is. Learning to stop the likes of Ekwe gives us the opportunity to learn how to play with and stop Big Guys in general.

If such is the trend in the amateurs, just think of what it can generate and morph into the pro’s

Louis Alas himself said, San Beda is beatable! So What’s the problem?

The presence of the likes of Ekwe in the collegiate league does not hurt the league at all, It helps the Sport as a matter of fact. True the competion has become very stiff and tough, But think about it, To achieve excellence is really tough. Every Sport is morphing into something new, modern, and advanced. Not just locally, but Internationally.

We have longed to make our mark in the Sport of Basketball in the International Scene. We use to beat China as they simply beat us all the time now…. Training our young athletes in playing with and against international players would raise our quality of play, skill and intelligence wise. It is only through playing with them and against them we will find ways to get around them with what we have…

One last thing, please be reminded that Sam Ekwe only learned to play Basketball here in the Philippines. He was a Soccer player before. The Basketball part in him therefore, is very Filipino.

If we continue to call him Import, I think that is discriminatory.

Let me say that there is really no such thing as “import” in academic competition. True there are repercushions and therefore, there should be regulations. But the presence of foreigners in the Academic league should not be put on the light of “foreign imports.” To isolate foreigners merely because they are foreigners with a different skin is discriminatory. What we are fighting here is the pride, the ideal and the honor of the school and not money. Foreign or local players, wouldnt make a difference at this point. Academic competition and Freedom is not an exclusive right of a certain people with a particular skin. Academic competition is Universal.

In Professional leagues you can classify things with a varity of series such as “The All Filipino league,” “The Reinforced Conferenced”, etc. This is possible because of the Professional Nature of the business that encourages professional careers.

Academic Competition is Universal.

Sam Ekwe’s presence in collegiate basketball is nothing new. I recall the days of William Pearson of La Salle, Steve Watson of Ateneo and so forth… These guys gave these schools a lot of championships.

GO SAN BEDA FIGHT!

I apparently do not agree with you on the “Sam Ekwe is the core….if not of these guy….”. As I have said before, Ekwe is athletic and tall Yes but skills wise, i dont think he’ll even pass in the PBA. In other words, dont be deceived. The coaching staff will find ways to use Ekwe but he’s not the key. I firmly believe even without Ekwe, San Beda will be Champs.

The San Beda coaching staff had to make major offensive adjustments in Game 2 to pull this one off. The result, the Red Lions started to run and when they do, any team will be in trouble.

We do not need foreign players? Yes and No.

Yes, we do need them to increase the level of play and hoping that they’re arrival would make a dent into the Pinoy’s psyche that they need to step it up and work. But…they have to be limited because the Phils. is a small market. My latter explanation is relative but i hope you get the picture.

No, because of, I repeat, the relatively small market and it may hinder the Filipino players’ opportunities in the long term.

SAM EKWE is the core of this team. . .if not of these guy maybe BEDA will not even grab ONE crown. . .PEACE OUT GUYS!!!

FIRST I WOULD TO CONGRATULATE THE LETRAN KNIGHTS FOR THE WELL JOB DONE AGAINST THE LIONS…YOU FOUGHT WELL!!!

NOW…FOR THE CHAMPIONS OF THE 83RD SEASON NCAA…ALL OF US BEDANS ARE SO PROUD BECAUSE OF YOU GUYS…THANK YOU FOR WINNING NOT JUST FOR YOURSELVES OR FOR YOUR YOUR TEAM BUT FOR THE BEDAN COMMUNITY…

AND TO YOUSIF ALJAMAL…DAKAL A SALAMAT KEKA (SALAMAT SA IYO) CABALEN!!!GOOD LUCK IN PBA!!!

GO FOR 3 PEAT!!!GO SAN BEDA FIGHT!!!WE’RE FROM SAN BEDA…WHO ARE YOU???!!!ANIMO BEDISTA!!!

NOW…FOR THE CHAMPIONS OF THE 83RD SEASON NCAA…ALL OF US BEDANS ARE SO PROUD BECAUSE OF YOU GUYS…THANK YOU FOR WINNING NOT JUST FOR YOURSELVES OR FOR YOUR YOUR TEAM BUT FOR THE BEDAN COMMUNITY…

AND TO YOUSIF ALJAMAL…DAKAL A SALAMAT KEKA (SALAMAT SA IYO) CABALEN!!!GOOD LUCK IN PBA!!!

GO FOR 3 PEAT!!!GO SAN BEDA FIGHT!!!WE’RE FROM SAN BEDA…WHO ARE YOU???!!!ANIMO BEDISTA!!!

…got the talent,
…got a new ring,
…got the whole Bedan community,
…now get Motivated and do the sacrifices!

Thanks also to Letran and Coach Louie, they earn lots of respect.

GO SAN BEDA FIGHT!

WOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!

NICE GAME LETRAN!