A last look at NCAA Season 85 in song and word (II)
Monday, 16 November 2009 2,053 Views / 48 Comments
Second of two parts
Arellano University (8-10)
Song of their season: Kisapmata by Rivermaya
Moment of the year: At 7-4, the Chiefs wilted down the stretch against the experienced Letran Knights, 89-85. After that, Arellano went 1-6 to finish its maiden NCAA campaign.
Quote of the year: “Siyempre nakakataba ng puso kapag nabasa mo na mas mataas pa kami sa [preseason] prediction kaysa sa ibang member-school. Kami guest lang.†– Coach Junjie Ablan, in reaction to preseason polls that put his squad as high as sixth.
In a span of seven games, and a blink of an eye, the Legarda outfit – by far the most competitive of the three guest teams – mutated from a Final Four contender to, well, an above-average rookie team. The “half-empty, half-full glass†analogy best suits the Arellano Chiefs. First, the half-empty argument – How in heaven’s name was Arellano able to lose six of its final seven games? Sure, there was JRU, San Beda and San Sebastian in the tail end of its schedule. But the good teams, at the very least, compete in the toughest of games. So when the Chiefs lost by 34 to the Stags, it was clear they didn’t belong with the big boys.
Now, for the more optimistic, Teletubbie-type point of view. Guests aren’t supposed to crash parties. But that’s just what the Chiefs did as they beat the likes of Letran and a theoretically more competitive St. Benilde five, among others, while giving JRU and San Beda a run for their money. Big man Gio Ciriacruz, in his last playing year for the former NCRAA kings, even made it to the Mythical Five and towed his team to the PCCL Sweet 16. Had Arellano beaten Mapua and EAC in that disastrous final stretch, it would have clipped the impressive 10-win mark. Now that’s something to build on.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran (12-6)
Song of their season: Ngayon Pa Lang Tagumpay Ka Na by Lea Salonga
Moment of the year: Inflicting San Sebastian its first loss after 15 straight wins, 80-63.
Quote of the year: “I’m proud of my boys despite the fact that we played minus Rey [Guevarra] who has been a pillar of this team. But we never gave up the entire game and fought up to the last second because everyone gave their best.†– Coach Louie Alas, after his unit’s season-ending defeat to San Beda in the Final Four.
Not much was expected from the Knights this year, especially with all the departures from Season 84 and the surprise formation of Mutineers Inc. (Clarence Foronda and Anjoe Latonio, both of whom bolted for FEU at the last minute). The supporting cast’s inconsistent play didn’t help either. So how did Muralla stand its ground and overachieve amidst all this?
RJ Jazul was still RJ Jazul, and that saw Letran through for much of the year. Add to that the vastly-improved Rey Guevarra who, before suffering a unfortunate ACL tear in the last elimination round game, successfully developed a sound perimeter game. And of course, Louie Alas. It’s a pity, though, that as of time of writing, Alas and the Letran management have yet to reach an agreement for the future despite the multi-titled coach’s confirmed rejection of a lucrative offer from another university. Reports of discord in the Letran camp have surfaced as well. Yes, coaches come and go, but paying Alas a little bit of respect for what he’s done would bode well. Let’s face it, Letran actually had a good year despite all the problems from Day One, and Alas has had a lot to do with that success.
Jose Rizal University (15-3)
Song of their season: Sayang Ang Lahat by True Faith
Moment of the year: Losing to a San Sebastian five that played sans the disqualified Calvin Abueva and Gilbert Bulawan, 84-78 in round two of the eliminations. The defeat virtually ended JRU’s twice-to-beat aspirations.
Quote of the year: “Sayang lahat nang pinaghirapan.†– Ex-coach Ariel Vanguardia, moments after JRU was knocked out by the Stags in the Final Four.
In another place and another time, winning more than 80 percent of your games would guarantee you at least a spot in the Finals. Vanguardia said, “it wasn’t meant to be.†But is it fate’s fault, or were the stars apathetic to a bunch of self-made errors?
Since playing the blame game seems to be in fashion along Shaw Boulevard, let’s join the bandwagon. In my opinion, Vanguardia and lead assistant coach Lito Vergara did their part. Tactically, there were few errors. On the floor, let’s zero in on JR Sena and, to some degree, Marc Cagoco. Sena, projected by pundits to deliver an MVP-type campaign, registered his season-high in points on opening day (18 points versus Letran). From July to October, he was missing in action. As for Cagoco, there’s always a fine line between wanting the ball and directing the entire team, especially if you’re a point guard. Unfortunately, some costly decision-making mistakes from the backcourt. I’ve said this time and time again when talking about the Bombers – they’ll go where their point guards take them. Jay-R Bulangis was nowhere too this year (the MCL injury excuse is lame, just ask Borgie Hermida), so go figure.
San Beda College (16-2)
Song of their season: Umaaraw, Umuulan by Rivermaya
Moment of the year: Well, losing the title to San Sebastian.
Quote of the year: “You’ve seen me against Letran and JRU in the past [finals], I never complain to the refs. This time, I’m all over them, simply cause I’m not getting any of the calls.†– Coach Frankie Lim, minutes before the start of Game 2 of the NCAA Finals.
For much of the season, San Beda looked the sharpest of the top three squads. The Red Lions were on cruise control for the most part with Sudan Daniel dunking on everyone, Bam Gamalinda hitting the big/clutch shots, Rome de la Rosa getting better by the game and Jake Pascual developing into a superb player.
The rest, they say, is history. In what turned out to be a Tale of Two Seasons, San Beda was outplayed by a gutsy Stags quintet in the championships. There were a handful of questionable calls, but not enough to dig a hole the Red Lions couldn’t get out of. For that matter, forget the calls. The Red Lions’ effort level just wasn’t enough to clinch a historical fourth consecutive title. Not everything, however, is doom and gloom in Mendiola, as Kyle Pascual, Jaypee Mendoza and Mar Villahermosa are just three members of a talented rookie class for 2010.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos (16-2)
Song of their season: Habang Atin Ang Gabi by South Border
Moment of the year: For that matter, snatching the championship from San Beda.
Quote of the year: “Walang rookie rookie. Lahat tayo coach at player, pare-pareho lang tayo.†– Coach Ato Agustin, in a Finals pregame talk.
It took just 12 months for San Sebastian to transform itself from a heartbreak outfit that failed to make the Final Four by a single game to a title team. All seemed lost when the Stags lost to San Beda twice in one week, but Agustin and co. got their act together to return the favor a few days later.
Indeed, things happen that fast in the world of college hoops. While it remains to be seen as to whether or not the Stags can create a San Beda-like dynasty, or better yet emulate their five-peat predecessors from a decade back, one thing’s for certain: San Sebastian should savor this achievement, but also can’t rest on its laurels just yet, even if the night of glory is still theirs.
(7 votes, average: 3.29 out of 5)
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first!
hope this thread won’t be spoiled by imbeciles.
Grabe ang bias naman ng comments ni Soler sa Baste! HAHAHA! Palibhasa kaibigan si Mike na taga Beda e! HAHAHA! With Jimbo Aquino as their only key loss in their line up still Baste’s line up is still potent. With Abueva and Pascual 3 more years and Sangalang 4 years in the NCAA. Rest assured that Baste will have a strong line up in the years to come. Don’t worry guys kahit na may magagaling na recruits ang beda syempre meron din tayo. Probably the whole 3rd unit of Baste this year will be replaced! So will have 5 good rookies next year. Plus the player who is touted to replace Jimbo!
BRAVO BASTE!
Ilan ba ang Imports ng San Beda next year ? Sayang ang dollar na pinapadala ng mga naghihirap nating mga magulang sa abroad para lang ibayad sa mga dayuhan na yan na sana ay nilalan para sa development ng mga youth ng bansa natin.
hi Chris,
Any updates on status of coach louie? This is very saddening because even if he is not an alum of the colegio, he remained faithful to the knights. Do you think if he leaves letran, kevin and kristoffer will also leave?
Ahahahahahaha!
Wow! NCAA did a great job. Congrats!
Juniors: Dela Cruz is all hyped and talent (no wonder a lot of scouts are eyeing on him).
Seniors: Damn! NCAA proved it all this year. Even without the San Beda and JRU squads, they’re hot!
Aquino and Wilson, they’re indeed the killers. UAAP esp. the fans can only sit and watch how their side collapsed.
Oh well, it’s just a game for them. But the PCCL is the much awaited.
Once again, Congrats to the NCAA team.
ANIMO!!!
Ahahahahahaha!
Wow! NCAA did a great job. Congrats!
Juniors: Dela Cruz is all hype and talent (no wonder a lot of scouts are eyeing on him).
Seniors: Damn! NCAA proved it all this year. Even without the San Beda and JRU squads, they’re hot!
Aquino and Wilson, they’re indeed the killers. UAAP esp. the fans can only sit and watch how their side collapsed.
Oh well, it’s just a game for them. But the PCCL is the much awaited.
Once again, Congrats to the NCAA team.
ANIMO!!!
Arriba Letran pa rin talaga kahit ano mangyari!
As much as we would love to see Coach Alas stay, but simply things are stack against it, there are alot of option for him, but for the good of the knights i hope he stays
grabe san beda next year, at the very least anim ang fil-fors and/or import sa team.
ginno soliman
rome dela rosa
sudan daniel
anthony semerad
david semerad
kyle pascual
pag nakuha pa nila iyung bryan organ at coco clemente eh naku 8 fil-fors and/or foreigners sa team. more than half the team is not local and homegrown.
ay tita, ang san beda yummyness ang team next year. kungdi mga guwapong fil-fors (semerad twins, kyle pascual at rome dela rosa) eh mga “dakota” na import (daniel) ahahahahay.
kahit di manalo champions pa din sila sa akin! ayyyy mga papa talaga!
Hahahahahaha!
Really?…
Ya’ll know these?
Damn… They like to play in San Beda?
Wow… Why did they chose San Beda?
I’d love to see these guys play. I heard Kyle Pascual is good.
Ahahahahahaha!
ANIMO! ROARRRRR!!!
Finally, a new article.
@ Soler = NOOB!
Let me just say, Hindi naman biased sa Red Lions ah. BITIN lang sa Golden Stags, na you may think na they’re not getting enough credit. The San Sebastian Golden Stags Won the NCAA 85th Season Men’s Basketball Championship, beating an Import laden and Filipino Foreigners, plus their big, big, BIG!!! Budget. Nuff said na iyun. And that will never be taken away from you…
FOREVER.
i love these articles, especially the “song of their season” part haha! i continue to be your fan mr. soler. keep it up!
Ahahahahahaha!
Yes, I agree with them. I think Mr. Soler made a selection (songs) that rhymes with the teams performance.
(Was humming and recalling each songs lyrics while reading it. Hehehehe)
Entertaining article. Hahahahaha!
ANIMO! ROARRRRR!!!
i am more interested with the recruits of baste. i know they have this style of recruiting silently but come summer & ncaa they will shock us again.
@calvo
Can you give some information on those obstacles thats preventing coach louie from signing again? I really hope he will stay. Btw, are u fr. Vic?=p
dati import ng san beda ang nirereklamo..
ngaun ung Filipino-Foreign players..
hay..
team mate ni Ian Sangalang yang si Kyle Pascual at JP Mendoza sa RP Youth team. :) mukhang mas maganda ang ncaa season 86…………………………………… taguan na ulet ng players! :D
Kyle Pascual
David Semerad
Anthony Semerad
Mar Villahermosa
Brian Organ
Coco Clemente
Ryusei Koga
Art Dela Cruz
Dave Moralde
Roldan Sara
ANIMO!!
Kyle Pascual
David Semerad
Anthony Semerad
Mar Villahermosa
Brian Organ
Coco Clemente
Ryusei Koga
Art Dela Cruz
Dave Moralde
Roldan Sara
ANIMO Call boys of Mendiola!!
anu kaya mangyayari s recruitment ng knights next season.. ang alam ko lng na papasok sa team b ay sila dysam,ung payat n 6’8, tpos ung tntawag nilang idol dunker.. mawawalan n ng veteran ang knights, bale s tngn ko ang go to guy nla ay sila delrosario at kevin alas.. sana magstep up ung dalawang un sa pagkawala ng veteran players ng letran
CALLBOYS!!!!
YYEEEEEEEEEE!!!
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs027.snc3/11444_321907470057_611025057_9576843_5756410_n.jpg
ito na naman ang mga bedista nagpoposost na naman ng mga incoming rookies nila. ni isa di makakuha ng blue chip recruit. baka pagdating ng hunyo luhaan na naman kayo. baka pati mga red cubs nyo di mapa sa inyo. sa totoo lang si kyle pascual mas banban pa kay marcelo.
@Hambog Mahangin Humble
“sa totoo lang si kyle pascual mas banban pa kay marcelo.”
hahahaha, sinabi mo pa. actually latak ng lasalle iyang si pascual, di pumasa kay pumaren nung tryouts. kahit sa rp youth team eh kinakain lang iyan ng buhay nina norbert torres, papot paredes at ian sanggalang.
closest comparison ni pascual ay si john foronda ng letran. hype lang iyang si pascual.
hahahahaha
Ahahahahahaha!
Geez, everyone’s eyeing on the Lion squad…
Things are getting more interesting with the team.
For sure, other teams have a good recruit.
Hope Wilson will still play for JRU.
Ahahahahahaha!
ANIMO! ROARRRRRR!!!
ano gamot sa tulo????
Suicide
@roda amores
laway
cathy lawayan mo ko ha!!??? pati kepyas
ako nalang lalaway
RODA AKON LANG LALAWAY SA KEPYAS MO
kasama tingil ha!!!!! kahit sino pwede
@roda amores
pwede, pero baka naman kulubot at mala chicaron na sa lutong iyan ha. sayang lang laway ko.
HABA TITE!!!!!!!!!
baka naman hindi ka lang marunong???? anyways si pusong baste gusto naman eh.
@roda amores
ako? gusto mo ako subukan?
hintayin nio pagbabalik ng bomberz next season babawi cla ndi mag chachampion ang BAHO BASTE NA YAN ang yayabang nyo ndi kau mananalo next season abueva bakulaw ka bulawan paget na pikon pa sangalang pagawa muh mukha muh!papanget ng players ng baho baste
ayoko sa yo calvin, liit kase titi mo!
@roda amores
naliliitan ka sa egoy? ano iyan? ga-basketball ring ang luwang?
hay naku calvin ha, dyutay naman iyang tarugo mo eh. tsaka ang balita eh supot ka pa. halata naman kasi kita namang kupal ka eh, kulay kupal pa nga eh.
bigyan na lang kita ng P500 para tumigil ka na.
@roda amores
hahah tigann nlang natin bka sumuko ka sa laki neto ameresian ata to!!!kaya ba yan ng mala ring hole na puke mo tong tarugo ko??
bitter p din mga bedans…
tsk tsk…
move on…;)
Hey everybody, take a look at this.
Members of San Miguel’s 1989 Grand Slam team in the PBA threw a congratulatory dinner for teammate Ato Agustin who piloted the San Sebastian Stags to the 2009 NCAA Seniors Men’s Crown. The dinner held at the Kamayan sa EDSA featured: Tonichi Yturri, Elmer Reyes, Bobby Jose, Alvin Teng, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Franz Pumaren, and Agustin. Paul Alvarez later joined San Miguel but not as a part of the 1989 Grand Slam team.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BquY6zd9Wxo/SwPbVa20IGI/AAAAAAAAJys/H9R0lYtQA9M/s1600/Ato+with+former+SMB+teammates.jpg
kawawa na san sebastian next year, wala na yung kaisa isang player nila na gumagawa. kaya, “savor this achievement” hanggat nasa inyo ang title temporary.
wag na mangaaway mga kapwa bedista. weather weather lang naman yan eh.. kung talo talo.. 3 consecutive championship are good enough to celebrate. be sports kaya tayo nasisira sa ibang schools eh which is not the real attitude of a bedan.
Sa Beda ! Saan Fah !?
Mr. Soler,
I used to love reading your website. I have to admit that the first column I would read would be that of The Green Mind. He may have been an asshole, offensive and bias, but his column was fun. It was what college basketball was all about.
You also have to admire the jerk for writing 1 to 2 columns a week which is something you 4 that are left don’t do at all.
I would go to his column just to read the comments andit was really fun. Now inboundpass is really boring.
I hated TGM with a passion but now, in all sincerity I miss the fun that his column brought to this site. I ubderstabd you are the editor of this site. You have to find a way to bring him back or bring insomeone who can stir things up like he does. inboubdpass is just not the same.
One more thing Mr. Soler, TGM had more readersa nd comments in 1 week than all of you combined in the months that your articles are posted. Wgat does that tell you? How many hits have you lost?