Mind games
Wednesday, 21 October 2009 3,205 Views / 126 Comments
BEFORE tip-off of San Sebastian College-Recoletos’ do-or-die, Final Four matchup with Jose Rizal University, Stags coach Ato Agustin said, “Mananalo tayo ngayon [We will win today].â€
Forty minutes worth of game time later, the humble yet confident rookie mentor, with a wide grin accompanied by an otherwise fatigued expression said, “I told you so.â€
For the first time since winning it all in 2002, the gold side of Recto will be making an NCAA Finals appearance. By disposing of the early-season favorites after losing three straight games in a span of a week, San Sebastian put on show the one thing that many pundits thought had eluded its players when push came to shove, both literally and figuratively: toughness, the mental way.
If there’s a chief storyline to the Stags’ NCAA Season 85 championship series with three-time, defending titlists San Beda College, it’s mental and emotional fortitude. For one, the Stags’ thunderous 15-game win streak to kick off the season was put to a halt by Colegio de San Juan de Letran in large part because they lost their cool against a more physical side. And just last week, Agustin’s troops lost back-to-back games, both down the stretch, to their finals opponents. The question now is whether or not the less experienced Stags can overcome their own demons to dethrone the all-conquering five from Mendiola.
In the past two to three weeks, Agustin can be seen scolding his players more for their extra-curricular activities on-court than mapping out strategies. That’s not to say that one of the greatest players in Philippine hoops history is more of a preacher than a tactician. In fact, Agustin says that his wards have known his playbook by heart even before the NCAA wars erupted. But rather, there’s a need to keep his lads in check. In the Stags’ second-to-the-last elimination round game, also against JRU, Agustin was seen scolding big man Gilbert Bulawan for storming into the court after an altercation had ensued. Bulawan was thrown out of the game, and suspended for the Stags’ tiff with San Beda, which they lost.
Erstwhile leading Most Valuable Player candidate Jimbo Aquino also lost his cool in the playoff with the Red Lions for the number one spot in the semifinals. By hitting Jake Pascual, the ace swingman lost the chance to play JRU in Game 1 of the Final Four, a game his unit lost. Unsurprisingly, Agustin was on Aquino’s case, as he was with Calvin Abueva in Game 2 after the latter struck Heavy Bomber Marvin Hayes with his forearm, an episode that nearly merited his ejection.
All of a sudden, keeping cool becomes as important as scoring more points than the opponent. And there isn’t a tougher challenge than San Beda, which has won three consecutive NCAA plums after a 28-year drought not only through the support of a wealthy backer and some guy named Sam Ekwe, but by way of mental toughness. Coach Frankie Lim, San Beda’s coach the past two seasons, is a master of mind games. This posture has been imparted to his players, who rarely cave in under pressure and have a killer’s instinct against opponents who start out slow. The proof: San Beda has won 13 out of its total 20 games by double-figures, and is 4-1 in games decided by eight points or less.
While Agustin has yet to put on his Nostradamus cap heading into the finals, one thing’s for sure. His players have to vow to keep their heads in the game, lest lose not only their cool, but the series itself.
(13 votes, average: 4.23 out of 5)
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“if you cant beat them, hit them.” – jimbo and the rest of the thugs.
hindi ba katakataka na si jimbo aquino nanuntok or naniko (i’m still not sure what he did) suspended while lanete CLEARLY stomps on taplah infront of everybody while the other guy was helpless on the floor (cowardly act) WAS NOT SUSPENDED???? mmmm…….
oh that’s right beda is the host, oh that’s right they have MVP on their side. i think baste should just forget about even playing in finals. the trophy is already in the beda locker room. beda will use ALL ITS RESOURCES TO ASSURE ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP. this is how they play the game.
@ cummings
kasi magreklamo sa mancom at huwag dito sa inboundpass. o baka naman wala ka ring bayag tulad ng mga letranista na puro dada lang sa internet?
“And there isn’t a tougher challenge than San Beda, which has won three consecutive NCAA plums after a 28-year drought not only through the support of a wealthy backer and some guy named Sam Ekwe”
right on the money… hehehehe
Great Article, Mr. Soler,
nice to see you back mr. soler! great writing as always.
@cummings
gasgas na yan reklamo mo! Finals na, iba na ang topic! You cant get past that!? too bad for you! sourgraping letranite ka!
pare pareho kayo ni “asa sa import”, isa pang letranite.
wala na ma sabing worthy!!! pero yun import niyo sa Laguna sa isangLiga niyo dun ok lang?
double standard nga naman.
@asa sa import
“And there isn’t a tougher challenge than San Beda, which has won three consecutive NCAA plums after a 28-year drought not only through the support of a wealthy backer and some guy named Sam Ekweâ€
Emphasis on the “not only through”
you may have missed it.
‘Nuf said.
move on w/ your respective lives, bitterness will slowly kill you.
there will always be a first time-SAN BEDA RED LIONS!!! 4 PEAT NCAA SEASON 85 CHAMPIONS!!! GOOD LUCK GUYS TOM!
Go San Bed fight!
Still, I’ve become a fan of Coach Atom – who reminds me of another cool and classy guy, Leo Isaac – and Tasmanian Devil Abueva.
Venerable Bede, do thy stuff!
niyari ng referee si jimbo… nawala ang mvp award… makakasira ng career talaga… justice for jimbo!!!
haha yari kayo sa beda. luto na yan hahaha! para daw masaya si mvp! ateneo champion, dapat daw beda rin. pati talk n text nahahahaha!
Siguradong nakapag adjust na ang Baste sa ganyang sitwasyon!
lagi naman gnun argument ng mga mokong na to e.. kng indi manalo, unang excuse.. kz may import Beda e.. kung di mo palalaruin ung isang foreign student na enrolled sa school na yun at qualified.. pano pa makaka-laro ung mga pinoy na may pangarap maka-laro sa mga division 1 schools sa US kung pagbawalan din ito dun.. Kung sa US nga pinapayagan un e.. bkit naman d2 hindi pede? kelangan tlga ng recruitment at good learning environment para ma-attract mga magagaling na players.. i-bring up nyo to sa mga school admin nyo para d mapag-iwanan school nyo..
sino ba sa existing SBC players ang included sa lahat ng 3 championships nila… and looking for the fourth?
Gamalinda, Hermida, Taganas, Tecson ata as far as I know. Im not sure about Tirona baka ala pa cya. Si Angeles pa starting point guard nun e. Borgy recovering from an an injury but he was already giving quality minutes.
caram
lanete
tirona
gamalinda
taganas
pascual
hermida
tecson
marcelo
villanueva
all of these players had a championship experience.
^^ soliman pa
^^ the entire coaching staff including the ball boys and security personnel ng red lions meron championship expirence
The Red Army Pa!!!
Pero ang tanong kung sino lang ang nakatikim ng lahat ng 3 championships e yung 4 lang – Gamalinda Hermida Tecson at Taganas di ba? Si Garvo ba at Tirona kasama na nung 1st championship?
To add, this is an interesting trivia because whoever those players are in the current line up will have a rare privilege of possibly be champions for 4 years. An swerte nila
that’s what i wanted to know…sa baste ba sino yung naka 5 rings? adducul ba?
Daming nakakatawang Bedista dito. Championship experience lang ba ang labanan pag dating dito? Take for example nung 2006, rookie team ang Beda tapos nakalaban nila ang PCU na may championship experience sa Finals. Pero nanalo ang Beda dba? Hindi lang yan sa puro experience experience. Ang tanong dyan eh may experience nga sila, pero aminin natin, si Hermida lang ang may puso dyan sa sinasabi nyo!
puso ng saging?
factor lang ang experience pero isa sa pinaka importante yun pagdating ng crunchtime. yung game 3 ng beda-pcu, muntik na matalo kasi from 20pts naibaba pa sa 2pts ang lamang. yun ang experience factor. ang factor naman na nasa side ng beda nun ay yung pagiging hungry for championship nun. may mga factors sa isang game, ang usapan dyan ay kung pano ma maximize ang factors nayun.
i read the 1st issue of rebound , mr soler your ncaa prediction is way off, you and rick was 0-4, while abasolo was 2-4.
eto yung line up na nka 5 consecutive championship
adducul rommel
calpito banjo
tanigue ullesis
ocampo
encarnacion brixter
martin peter
robinson topex
PBA lahat yan, nakalimutan ko na yung iba
Baste 1993-1997
Adducul
Calpito
Encarnacion
Tanigue
Ocampo
Robinson
rodney Santos ’93-’95
Homer Se ’96-97
Alvin Pua
pero mas malakas ang UST ’93-’96
’93
Espino
Evangelista
Edmund Reyes
Belmonte
Tanquingcen
Favis
Bal David
rommel David
patrick Fran
’94
Henry ong
Richard Yee
’95
Gerald Francisco
Richard Melencio
PINAKAMALAKAS na teams thru the years
ATENEO 2002
Villanueva
Alvarez
Gonzales
Chia
Tenorio
Fonacier
Andrew Cruz
Tadeo
Escalona
Intal
Kramer
Membrere
Bugia
UST 2000
Ortiguerra
Espiritu
Baguio
Oreta
Agleron
Lao
Latoreno
Gelig
Villamin
Hubalde
Luanzon
LETRAN 2005
Andaya
Rodriguez
Aban
Aldave
Bautista
Piñera
Quinday
Jazul
Faundo
Realista
Anabo
DLSU 2001
Sta.Maria
Ramos
Sharma
Wilson
Gozum
Cardona
Yeo
Ritualo
Cortez
Manalo
Villanueva
Cabatu
UE 2002
Estrada
Alminario
Canaleta
Masbang
Tan
Artadi
Ronquillo
Booker
Omiping
Hubalde
Yap
Tubid
UE 2007
Thiele
llagas
Espiritu
Fampulme
Borboran
Gregorio
Arellano
Lee
Canizares
Acuña
martinez
Bandaying
Lingganay
@Red Hot Bedan,
“Pare parehas lang naman manlalaro, Sam Ekwe, Sudan Daniel, NJEI, etc.. Ang basehan dito, bakit siya lang ba ang naglaro at umiskor lahat ng puntos? Ganon ba? ”
alam niyo ang problema niyo beda eh AYAW NIYO PA KASING TANGGAPIN ANG KATOTOHANAN! NANALO KAYO MAINLY DUE TO YOUR IMPORT!!!! huwag niyo namang insultohin si ekwe at sudan at ipapantay niyo kay njei? mahiya kayo sa kanila! ginamit niyo lang tapos ida-downplay niyo. AMININ NA kasi eh – NANALO DAHIL SA IMPORT! Alam niyo kung lahat ng beda aaminin ito, mawawala na itong mga tinatawag ninyong sour grapes. HUWAG NA KAYONG DEFENSIVE – AMININ NA KASI!!!!!!! tama si sincom – this will haunt you as long as you win with a dominant import – next year, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014……….
beda asa sa import?
e JRU nga dalawa import tinalo nyo di kayo nagrereklamo..
and beda is the king of the world, no, beda is the king of the milky way! no, beda is the king of the universe! everybody kneel down in front of the altar of beda!!!! worship the beda !!!!! if not you go to hell!!!!! ahahahahaaahahahahaahhhhhahahahahahahahaahahahahah!!!!1
pwe! ambaho grabe usok sa mendiola twing nagagwi ako doon.
@ rick
naglaban yung team ni adducul tsaka team ni espino, sa isang exhibition game. panalo baste nun.
ibang klase baste nun, dominated talaga nila ang NCAA nung panahon na yun kahit elimination round. UST naman natatalo sa umpisa ng season pero sa bandang huli sila parin champion. sayang lang kasi hindi talaga masasabi kung sino mas magaling nung panahon na yun.
marami pa ring hindi bilib sa beda kahit ilang ulit pa silang mag champion sa liga hay maniwala kau kawawa tsk tsk
@rick
hmmm.. bat di mo sinama ang san beda sa malalaks na teams through the decade?…. kahit ipagsama sama mo na ung tatlong taon nila, 06-08??? hmmmm bakit kaya??? tsk tks hahaha
@universidad
basahin mo iyong post ni sincom. iyon ang dahilan.
to universidad
because he is a nut, like all of us in here, pointing fingers,finding excuses and accusations to one another
this place is a big bag of nuts
asa daw sa import? first of all define or elaborate the term “asa”…
you guys wanna know more… we still have another nigerian(if im not mistaken) player who is currently in SBC basketball program mabybe nxt season he will be on the line up already… reklamo kayo ulit?
maraming ndi bilib sa beda?? We dont win championships to impress other schools… as if we care on wht other people says…
the import issue will hunt us? hahahaha we will win championships and enjoy in over and over again, and sleep very tightly at night….
more criticism? bring it on…. wanna know how does it feel in our shoes right now?? SARAP PARE… moreeeee
Animo!
hoy beda, hindi ba mas maganda kung walang import noong 2006, 2007, 2008 at nagchampion pa rin? kaso sa panaginip na lang….cannot prove it anymore. sayang ano?
without ekwe these might be the results:
2006
champion: PCU – it is obvious that PCU would be the more dominant than sbc. even with ekwe they brought sbc to the brink.
2007
champion: SBC(?) – they beat letran in 2 straight games. The problem again is that they had ekwe in these games. the question is how dominant was ekwe during these 2 games? chime in guys.
2008
champion: JRU – the JRU drought could have ended here but ekwe denied them. Despite ekwe, JRU forced a 3rd game. Add the late Nocom in the lineup and this would have been a Hopia championship!!!
without Sudan,
2009
champion: San Sebastian
bring it on social climbers!
“hoy beda”? hahaha yea may point k maganda pag walang import… pero MAS MAGANDA kasi MAY IMPORT KAME NUN… hahahaha..
it only shows that our institution is already thinking out of the box and were no longer contented on safe zone.. thats why im happy about it and that makes you different among the others and will give a great opportunity to excell more on all aspects…
this season if we got the championship again… more criticisim will rise again… pero we dont care…
pag natalo… ayos lang din masaya parin kami…. bawi kami nxt season…
“stay smile always”
Animo! PAX!
TAMA NA BASKETBALL AT MAGKANTUTAN NA LANG KAYO!
WOOOHOOOO!!!!
@step up
sayang nga walang Champions League nung ’90s..i agree mas malakas ang Baste kysa sa UST nun…
@universidad
di ko sinama yung San beda kasi i don’t think ganun sila kalakas. Solid lang kasi yung starters nila (Ekwe,Escobal,Aljamal,Menor,Angeles/Hermida) pero doubtful yung bench..same thing as with FEU in 2005 of Santos,Isip, Villanueva,Chan at Rizada…
import? so?
free-flowing beers in all three victory parties taste the same. sweet.
hehehe. looking forward to the 4th. i hope it ends this sat. mahirap maginom ng thursday e. hehehe. we’ll bring out the brooms for the sweep!
Animo San Beda!
mga alumni at studyante ng baste mga snatcher ng recto! magbago na kayo!!! -SPO1 Dante Torredes
Baste Haba Tite! beda SUPOT tite! bbbwwaaaaaahh
San Beda, which has won three consecutive NCAA plums after a 28-year drought not only through the support of a wealthy backer and some guy named Sam Ekwe.
Yon wealthy backer ba yon ang tsupador na beda…