Reignite the Blaze

Another year, another losing season and another final four non-appearance for the College of St. Benilde Blazers. The worst part, we're getting used to it.

I was there when we won our first and only men's basketball championship. I remember sitting up in the stands, my heart pounding inside my chest. With every Sunday Salvacion basket, every Al Magpayo rebound and every Titus Mendoza hustle play, one side of Rizal Memorial stadium would erupt in utter delight. One side. All Benildeans. I remember the goosebumps on my arms as I sang the Alma Mater song. For one night, the other side of Taft Avenue was in euphoria. The Blazers appeared in the final four the next two seasons, reaching the finals in 2002 only to be defeated by San Sebastian. Since then, wins have been sporadic. Winning seasons and final four appearances, same as those goosebumps, have been non-existent. 

I admit, I haven't watched a single live game ever since. But I catch Blazer games on AKTV whenever I can. I check out team standings and box scores online. I may not be the perfect supporter but I try my best. And I'm proud of that fact. What I can't stand is seeing rows and rows of empty seats wherever my beloved Blazers play. Maybe it's difficult to watch the games live, especially when the matches are held during school and office hours but if the fans from the other team can find ways to watch, maybe we should, as well. I should be there to shout at every call the referees miss. I should be there to heckle the opposing team's free throw attempts. I should be there to to scream my lungs out at every good play my Blazers make. I should be there. We all should be there. Everyone. 

I won't pretend to know the ins and outs of college basketball. Heck, I won't even pretend to know the ins and outs of writing (forgive the typos, if any). What I do know is that for a college sports team to be successful, it needs support. From the school officials to the students to the graduates to the groundskeepers, every little thing we contribute goes a long way.  We are all Benildeans. It also wouldn't hurt if we got a couple of blue chip players in our sights for future seasons. With only a couple of players graduating from this year's squad, adding two or three marquee ballers to our young nucleus could yield positive results. I suggest the CSB team officials scout early and often for prospects that can help the cause and once they're in the fold, take care of them and support them 100%. And stop letting DLSU get our LSGH boys (Ahem... Thomas Torres... Ahem!). Hehehe.  

We need more scoring. We need more defense. More importantly, we need more fans. And maybe, just maybe, those goosebumps would return.

Animo La Salle. Animo Benilde.

Brandon Roy Retires

I didn't expect to wake up to this. Brandon Roy, the Portland Trail Blazers' 3-time all-star and one-time franchise player was set to retire from professional basketball. After undergoing a physical doctors told Roy that his playing years were over and that if he continued to play, he could face the possibility of not walking at all in the future. No more cartilage, no more playing. The career of the only player I've followed over the past few years is over.

We always believed that our heroes were indestructible, that they would last forever and never leave us. During the lockout, I had hoped that Brandon's knees would get better with the extended off-season. After Nate McMillan and Larry Miller's statements a few days ago regarding Roy's state of mind and him being part of Portland's plans for the season, my feeling of hope turned into excitement. I printed out the Blazers' 66-game schedule and taped it on the wall of my office. I installed apps for my phone that would help me keep track of news, scores and stats throughout the season. Brandon was ready and so was I.

What I was not prepared for was today's news. The apps I installed did what they were supposed to do, each one of them confirming the story of the day, each one taking the wind out of me. I was shocked. I was sad. On this cold December day, my basketball hero learns that his knees won't allow him to play another NBA game. Just like that.

I can't say that I fully understand everything in the NBA, much less basketball in general. CBAs, BIRs, MLEs, etc. These are just letters to me. For me, being a fan is more than just knowing the numbers and statistics and contracts. It's the feeling of belonging, rising and falling with your team and your favorite players. It was Brandon Roy who pulled me back to watching the game more closely. He made me a fan again of a sport dominated by egos and endorsements. He was a joy to watch, a warrior on the court and a gentleman off the court. The city of Portland loved him and he loved them back. He played with his heart on his sleeve and never let his injuries get in the way of his game. It's sad to think that he won't win a championship, accept an MVP award and won't get to represent the USA in the Olympics. As part of the coaching staff or management maybe but as a player, no. But like what he showed during games 3 and 4 of the 2011 playoffs, there's always a new chapter, a new beginning. He can now focus on the more important things in his life, his family and his health.

Before I end this, I'd like to share my favorite Brandon Roy moment: Game 4 against Dallas in the 2011 NBA Playoffs. Living outside the United States, NBA games are always broadcast in the morning. Game 4 was earlier than usual and I had to wake up at 5:30 to watch the game scheduled at 6. Unfortunately, the NBA provider wasn't scheduled to air the Portland-Dallas game on TV so I went to my office so I could watch it on-line. What I witnessed was one of the most inspiring things I had ever seen. I knew he had spoken about his diminished role in the team a few days before. I knew he responded with 16 points off the bench in the Game 3 win. But what I didn't expect was that I'd be watching what greatness was all about. In just one whole quarter. It was the Brandon Roy show. After he hit that three with Marion fouling him, I could already feel my hands shaking. Then moments later, at the final buzzer, I had tears in my eyes. It was the only time a sporting event could bring me, a then-29 year old man, to tears. The fact that the man, who had no more cartilage in his knee, could orchestrate one of the biggest comebacks in sports history, was just too much.

Thank you, Brandon. For the amazing buzzer beaters, the killer crossovers, the monster dunks and most of all, your selflessness. Good luck and God speed.

La Salle Greenhills 85 San Beda 82

I attended my high school's championship game yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum (it still feels funny calling it the Smart Araneta Coliseum, sorry). My La Salle Green Hills Greenies was up against the San Beda Red Cubs. LSGH, the College of St. Benilde's junior team in the NCAA rode its momentum from their last game against the Letran Squires and held San Beda at bay for most of the first quarter. The second quarter was a different story as the Red Cubs showed why they had been unbeaten the whole season as they slowly chopped the deficit with their composure and high-octane offense, eventually ending the half down just by three, 41-38, with a trey just before the buzzer sounded.

LSGH player introductions. Unsteady photo by me.

After the break, San Beda continued its relentless pressure on offense, complete with stunning no-look passes and inspired play. The Greenies seemed to be stuck on neutral as the Red Cubs capitalized on missed shots and poor rebounding from La Salle. After three, it was LSGH 63, San Beda 62. It was a heart-stopping last period as both clubs stepped up their performances with the Red Cubs eventually taking the lead with only a few minutes to go. That's when back-up center Andre Paras, son of retired cager Benjie, took over. The younger Paras scored 11 of his 13 points in the pivotal fourth as LSGH won back the lead. The Greenies had several chances to ice the game but were missing free throws down the stretch. In the end, they held on to win the thriller, 85-82 ending San Beda's unbeaten run at 18 games. Forward Jon Villaruz led La Salle with 22 points. Thomas Torres nearly dished out a triple-double performance with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 dimes. San Beda still enjoys a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the next match scheduled for next week.

While LSGH won, it was still far from a perfect game. They allowed San Beda to get fast break points as the Red Cubs easily broke the Greenies' press. They were also outrebounded by their opponents 51-39. And most importantly, they only made 23 of 40 shots from the free throw line. Hopefully, these problems will be addressed before the next game.

Animo La Salle.