Norman Black confirmed to Quinito Henson the blockbuster recruiting class coming to Katipunan next season. Everybody knew that Greg Slaughter is currently serving residency. Oping Sumalinog will return from his medical red shirt year due to an ACL injury. Wing player, Gwynne Capacio of Zobel will finally don the blue and white after spending this season with the national junior team. The other recruits are not shabby. AHS hot shots and national junior teammates Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal will continue playing for ADMU. Cebu hot shot Mark Tallo round up the recruiting class but Black may not be done shopping.

As good as the recruiting is, it could have been better. Black also confirmed that Ray Parks turned down his scholarship offer and will play for NU after serving the prerequisite residency. In recruiting Tallo, Black beat back the recruiting efforts of NU who pulled all the stops to land the talented and current Philipine junior NBA MVP.

With Pessumal on board, will we now see Ael Banal head to Taft? Abangan.

wow, such a formidable frontline. aside from salamat who else is graduating next year? monfort? austria? do we have enough slots to accommodate these players? i wonder who will be bumped off. regardless, we need shooters very badly.

I would rather have Greg Slaughter concentrate on his studies and his stint with the national team rather than suit up for the Blue Eagles lest we be accused of using MVP's SBP influence to pirate players away from their original colleges. We already have enough capable centers BOTH in our current Hail Mary squad and our Glory Be team.

With the expected influx of crack guards and wingmen led by 2nd gens Ravena, Capacio and Tallo plus the comebacking Sumalinog, guys like Juami Tiongson, Chris De Chavez and Tonino Gonzaga will be EXTREMELY lucky to hold on to their Team A spots. There are also talks of Bacon Austria quitting the team next year to pursue other endeavors (similar to what Ken Barracoso did after the 2007 season). Monfort will still likely play out his final year of eligibility next season because of his 3-point shooting and fearlessness.

Looking at how the DLSU coaching staff has "managed" older bro Gab's playing time, it is highly unlikely that we will see Ael Banal don the same colors as his sibling. The Green and White are stacked with guards and even have another RP Under-18 campaigner and pure shooter Roldan Sara raring to shoot his arrows next year.

Ael Banal had told a former batchmate that his choice of school is down to DLSU and ADMU. The family had turned down the lucrative overtures from NU. But here is the problem, the Banal family feels that Ael is not getting enough love from Norman Black. It must gall them right now that Art de la Cruz and now Gwynne Capacio have been accomodated by Black. Because of this perception, Joel Banal reportedly made contact with Dindo Pumaren about the possibility of Ael playing for DLSU. Then there is the MVP angle.

There are 2 big things going against Ael playing in Taft. He will be competing against Gab for playing time and we know now that Gab is at the end of the DLSU bench. There was even rumors that Ael would have bumped brother Gab had he decided to play this season. The other problem is that DLSU has a glut of 2-3's on team A and B.

My perception is that there are 3 automatic open slots with the departure of Salamat, Escueta and Balmaceda. I will put Estrada as a candidate for demotion to team B plus Tonino and even Eman. The arrival of certified scorers Ravena and Tallo and slasher Pessumal should more than make-up for the experience the team is giving up.

Where on earth is Bon Jovi Cipriano? Has he fully recovered from his ACL?

If it were up to me, I would bump Tonino, Bacon, Estrada, Balmaceda, De Chavez, and JP Erram (or Escueta) off the team. Add the graduation of eric and that's seven openings right there. How's this for a 15-man roster? -

Greg Slaughter
Justin Chua
Frank Golla
Jason Escueta (or JP Erram)
Art dela Cruz
Nico Salva
Ryan Buenafe
Gywnne Capacio
Oping Sumalinog
Kirk Long
Von Pessumal
Kiefer Ravena
Mark Tallo
Juami Tiongson
Eman Monfort

Now the question is: Papayagan ba ito ng UAAP Board? Parang masyadong malakas e!

i agree with this line up. it's real strong.very deep. very flexible. versatile

The official roster is actually composed of 16 and not just 15 players so there's room for one more. Will it be Ael Banal or will he join older brother Gab in DLSU?

Wait and see whether Bacon Austria will do a Ken Barracoso and forego his final year of eligibility in favor of other pursuits (as what some rumors claim).

I also hope someone finally wears jersey number 9 after 12 years of making it a "forbidden number".

It is faith and not superstition that will take us places.

Unrelated question - a few years ago there was much noise made about the boys of Benjie Paras joining LaSalle. What's happened to them? Duds?

mag-aartista na lang daw sila.

Both of Benjie's boys are playing for Lasalle Greenhills' Milo Best Center Passerelle team... one is in Grade 7 and the other is in 2nd year high...

So does that mean they ain't good enough for the big leagues?

In the near future maybe... but for now, Milo Best Center Basketball Passerelle Division is where they belong at the young age of 15 and 13 respectively... Andre is about 6'2 and the younger Paras (Coby?) is 5'8... Saw both of these boys play in the Milo Best Center tournament last year when the younger Paras was still playing in the SBP Division and the Older Paras was in the Passerelle...
DLSGH SBP Team lost to AGS SBP Team in the NCR Finals... AGS went on to win a rare grand slam in the SBP Division National Championships...
DLSGH Passerelle Team won back to back National Championships maybe because AHS have not joined the said tournament for two years now...
Well, these two boys may or may not play in the NCAA (where DLSGH plays junior ball) in the future... who knows?... they might play in the UAAP...
I've witnessed some of DLSGH prized players transferring to DLSZ for "GREENER" pastures... as if they're not wearing green already...
Keiffer and Thirdy Ravena played for DLSGH a few years back before transferring to ADMU... Hmmmm...

so who is the other biggie ADMU is recruiting ( I am not referring to Slaughter)? Or is he still a secret?

He is Jeric's former teammate in San Sebastian High School.

What's his name?

is ael banal enrolled in ateneo?

No, he (or his family) decided not to. Unlike Gwynne Capacio who is also on the Youth team but who is a freshman.

Gino Jumao-as? He was sighted during the Finals with some Ateneo boosters.

But I wouldn't consider him a "big man" (i.e., 6'5 and above)

If it's "big man", we're probably looking at SBC, not SSC.

Ahhh that is good. Hope its gotladera. Hope he brings Amer along.

if he is not enrolled in katipunan then where or is he school-less? a while back in this same thread there was talk of ael joining his brother in taft ave.
i hope he is not with green or THE CURSE continues...

LOL! papainitin lang ni Ael ang upuan kapag pumunta siyang DLSU. hindi nga pinapalaro si gab eh, siya pa kaya?

Right now, it looks like he is school-less. The Banal family said that the plan was for him to train in the US after his Youth team stint.

that's better than being enrolled in taft ave or he will be mocked by the blue community

kulaspiro, thanks for the update!!

The top HS Prospects:

From San Beda HS - 6'5" center Ponso Gotladera, 6'5" forward-center Chris Javier, 5'8" pointguard Baser Amer

From Perpetual Help HS - 5'9" pointguard Gelo Alolino

From Lasalle Greenhills - 6'2" forward Michael Pate

From San Sebastian HS - 6'0" swingman Gino Jumao-as, 6'2" forward Jerico Magno

Ateneo De Manila HS - 5'10" guard Kiefer Ravena, 6'1" swingman Von Pessumal, 6'2" center-forward Paolo Romero, (technically) 6'1" swingman Ael Banal

Santo Tomas HS - 6'3" forward Kevin Ferrer

Slim pickings this year. I'm high on Alolino and Ferrer, and hope they do indeed show up at the tryouts.

ang dami naman nating rookies next year!

joe, with the current line-up likely to be intact next year, i'd rather not look at recruiting any of these guys. the guard positions will be locked up should kiefer decide to join the blue eagles (vice eric). at the 4/5 positions, vice jumbo, we're pretty loaded as well -- and sgt. slaughter will be in there, too.

kevin ferrer should stay in uste and revive his school's flagging hopes for a return to the finals -- where we hope to make them pay for season 69 ('06). i heard about alolino already joining some sessions at moro. if kiefer decides to move on, maybe alolino would be OK, but i'd rather have baser amer.

Baser Amer is staying in San Beda since Borgie Hermida is already going to the PBA after this season.

Ponso Gotladera is someone we can use as a 4/5 for five full years, and he and Chris Javier are the only true bigs coming out of high school this year. Considering Sudan Daniel, the Semerad twins, Kyle Pascual, Dave Marcelo, Jake Pascual and their new import coming in, what are Gotladera and Javier to do if they stay in San Beda?

yep, i figured as much from the discussions of the bedaboys on the other side. they'd like to hold on to gotladera and javier but are aware that they are at least 3-deep in those positions. so it's the arthur dela cruz scenario for them as well. i guess, given what you said, perhaps we should prioritize getting gotladera, although that would mean bumping down to glory B maybe jeric estrada. between the two, we haven't seen enough of jeric to justify continued service on the hail Mary team. and ponso gotladera definitely has his star rising already.

what's clear is if we don't get gotladera some other school will. i'm sure coach yturri would like to train someone like him to mold into a new ferdinand *cough*.

one of our regulars at the games, a professor at the loyola schools, is now watching the NCAA juniors finals game 2. he observes ponso gotladera appears to have moves in the paint that coach norman likes to see in a big man -- at least that's his perception of what coach norman likes to see . curious, i sneaked a peek at the office TV. and i'd see his post moves are similar to justin chua's. not much back-to-the-basket, more face-up undergoal stabs that justin likes doing as well.

edited to add: he also says that, according to his bedan friends, coach norman has been speaking to ponso since the latter's 2nd year in high school. i guess i'd have to go with our loyola schools professor's -- and joe's -- assessment of ponso.

gentlemen,

we are now faced with a dilemma of who to bump off to team b. is it correct to assume only salamat and escueta are leaving the team? if austria forgoes his final year of eligibility then there are 3 openings.

who will be taken in?

slaughter
sumalinog
pessumal
ravena
tallo

your thoughts please...

Assuming all four rookies and Oping join the team, 2 guys will have to be dropped from the UAAP team similar to what happened to Emman two years ago.

The most likely Blue Eagle to be dropped from team A next year will probably be Carlo Balmaceda, mainly because Coach Norman hasn't used him much. It's a shame really, as I like how this kid plays. Bacon probably isn't going anywhere, as Coach Norman has found adequate use for him. Tonino is another possibility. I have no idea what the plans are for Jeric.

With Mark Tallo and possibly Kiefer coming in, I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Norman goes after a big man like Pons instead of another guard. However if both Greg and Gwynne are getting team A slots, then that means more additions to team Glory Be.

It will be interesting to see how the roster is filled in the coming months.

I heard last night that Ael was going to NU. Can anyone confirm this?

With Oping coming back, and Mark Tallo, Kiefer and Von possibly coming in, perhaps Chris de Chavez could use some time in Team B? His role has mainly been as designated three-point shooter/zone breaker. Oping can certainly do that and much more.

Any other recruits that coach Norman brings in will most likely spend a year in team B. Not bad considering how strong the team will be next season. It will be a good time for ADMU to stock up on players for the future. Captain Kirk and Emman will be playing their fifth year next season. If Bacon comes back then he will be the third player to be replaced. After season 75, the coaching staff will have to replace the likes of Ryan, Nico, Greg and Justin plus Oping Sumalinog.

Let's move forward and look at the pipeline coming out of AHS. AHS will compete for next years championship but there are no sure bets to make ADMU varsity for a number of years until freshman Javelosa graduates. Maybe, big boy Porter out of Sacred Heart can make it but he will have to spend a year in team B with his limited experience.

A well known booster of another UAAP school once told me that the big advantage of ADMU is the number of experience players on the team year in year out since Norman Black became the coach. The leadership made the team unflappable during crunch time. This is the reason that other schools are copying the approach of Norman Black and themselves stockpiling players for their own team.

How many years does Oping Sumalinog still have? He still has 2 more years right? I think he can have a similar impact to Nonoy this coming season. Which is scary for all opponents as there's also another Nonoy clone waiting to break out - JP Erram.

I'm certain Carlo Balmaceda is not returning next season. If I had my way Jeric Estrada would be bumped down to Team Glory B at least for all of next year. If the likes of Yuri Escueta, Jobe Nkemakolam and Eman Monfort all had to spend some time on Glory B, why not Jeric?

In terms of need what we really need is a new inside option, hence Greg Slaughter, a bigger version of Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

At the perimeter position we do not have a glaring need. To all the geniuses who absolutely demanded we have a "true / pure" pointguard, I refer you to the Season 73 Finals and what we did against a team that supposedly had the two best true / pure pointguards in college basketball. In thsi sense we do not really absolutely need Kiefer Ravena or Mark Tallo. However, there is no doubt that after all the hype these two players have nowhere else to go but the UAAP roster.

Comes now the real dilemna: with Gwynne Capacio already enrolled, and the probability of Ponso Gotladera looming, which of them comes in? With Greg already aboard Gotladera seems redundant. On the other hand, Gwynne is already enrolled, while we might still need to entice Gotladera.

How I wonder would we answer this if Gotladera asks: "Bakit si Jeric ni-line up niyo kagad? Dapat UAAP din kagad ako, mas magaling ako kay Jeric ng milya-milya."

I personally would love to say: "Hoy Ponso, last year nga ni hindi ka makasalo ng entry pass, hindi ka maka-pivot o maka-rebound ng matino, ngayon feeling mo ikaw ang next Ryan Buenafe, upakan kaya kita. Hindi. Glory B ka muna."

Given his retiring personality of course Ponso would never say such things, and in my inherently diplomatic nature neither would I.

Still, the point is something's gotta give. Logic would dictate that Gotladera should win out over Gwynne if the choice comes down to the two of them. It's not like Gwynne is going anywhere soon being already enrolled.

I know it sound cruel but this is precisely why I do not subscribe to that selfishly stupid notion that we should stockpile players if only to prevent other UAAP schools from getting them.

If Gwyne performs well in the UNIgames, he might get the headstart. I saw him practicing with the team last Tuesday. There was no Greg Slaughter sighting though.

I wonder what Norman Black wants to do with Gwynne though? Will Gwynne be an inside guy or an outside guy for Norman Black? Zion Laterre was a heck of an all-around player with a good long jumper when he was with Glory B, but he was used as a hybrid 4/3 used more to defend the scoring forwards and help tend the boards than to score himself.

Gwynne is a superb offensive players with a lot of tools, most notably a pull-up jumper coming off a high screen. He'd do the whole gamut: ball fake, jab step, strong drive to the lane, then explodes into the air, perfectly squared up, slightly fading away, releasing a nicely arced shot. He did this consistently even against Calvin Abueva and Arnold Danganan, as well as a couple of taller Korean pro players in the RP Youth scrimmages I saw prior to their Yemen tournament. That's a tough move to pull and Gwynne has mastered it. At a little over 6'3" and with his great springs that's as money a shot as Nico Salva's pop jumper from the keyhole area.

However, Oping Sumalinog and even Arthur Dela Cruz can do this as well. Arthur was not able to showcase this move last season because he was asked to be a 4 off the bench and get shots as close to the basket as possible, but this was something he was doing consistently for the Red Cubs. We all know Oping can do this move as well. In essence we have three players who all bring the same or at least 97% similar skill sets. Do we really need three of a kind in the roster? Black likes to line up one primary and an immediate sub. Oping is the comebacking super senior, Arthur the incumbent sub who had a decent rookie season. Where does this leave Gwynne?

If Gwynne is to make it to the UAAP roster he needs to play the way he played with the RP Youth team. But is that something he will be allowed to do in the Uni Games? That is why I wonder how Black will use him. If Black asks Gwynne to be a strictly low post 4 then Gwynne will not be able to show his full range. On the other hand, if he is asked to play perimeter, does that mean Oping will have to fight talon and beak to get his old roster spot back? Knowing Black's preference for veterans that does not seem likely.

These three players - Arthur, Oping and Gwynne - seem to be the real conundrum that has to be sorted out. One of them has to go to Glory B at least for next season. If Oping heals and rehans 100% and gets his basketball legs back by January he's a lock to take back his roster spot. If Gwynne is allowed to play the way he played with the Youth team, his superior strength, quickness and springs give him an advantage over Arthur. Arthur is the one who may wind up on Glory B.

technically, since gwynne capacio is already enrolled and studying at the ateneo, we can't say he's still a recruit. atin na yan!

that said, i agree it will be a befuddlement for the coaching staff to figure this out. in our discussions, joe, you know i facebook-type of like arthur. but i agree that the issues you raised are legit as well. we still have to see how oping's knee is turning out -- and i facebook-like oping too. the moves and moxie he showed in last year's PCCL had many of us wanting time to fast-forward to july 2010 -- which turned out quite well even without him. bahala na. let's see how things go.

OTOH, our discussions about the TIP players from the US, 6'5" anthony hargrove and 6'2" dave (or dale?) porter are quite enlightening. haven't seen these guys play, but from what you've been telling me about them, hargrove can be a solid swingman in the 3/4 spot. while porter can man the backcourt, does he have the range? if things pan out, these two should be in loyola heights by summer, and then redshirt the following season. they should be UAAP-ready by 2012. the ateneo frontline should still be merciless even then, as the 5-spot will still be manned by greg slaughter. other teams say they have trees in their frontline. if so, then the ateneo has mountains.

A new year ..... the site suddenly resurrects from either being hacked or neglected or maybe it just went on a Christmas vacation. At any rate, it's back.

From what I gathered (and remember I never claimed any direct insider connections) the picture moving forward is like this:

.... out of the team will be Salamat, Escueta, Estrada and Balmaceda ....
.... in will be Slaughter, Sumalinog, Ravena, Capacio ....

Pessumal has been offered a team B scholarship with solid potential of moving up to team A after next season, but the guy is seriously exploring all options even from other schools.

The situation is obviously very fluid .... even (more so) for the other schools where recruitment, piracy and under-the-table deals are becoming more rampant and flagrant .... even Coach Black was quoted in a published report commenting on this.

In the run-up to the four-peat, the excitement right now is not on the basketball courts but in the backroom machinations.

To stir the pot some more ...

Kiefer has not made up his mind if he will stay in Katipunan, go to the States or accept the lucrative offer from another UAAP school.

Ray Parks turned his back on Georgia Tech for now to play for NU. Doing a Japeth Aguilar may not be in the cards. Did Bobby Parks read the NCAA decision on Kentucky signee Enis Kanter of Turkey? Will Anton, Mrs. Francisco of UST, Adamson and DLSU for that matter allow Ray to play next season without meeting the residency requirements of the UAAP?

The pot is stirred .... and the resulting viand may be a meal not worth eating.

The notion that the UAAP is an amateur league has long ago flown out the window. Professionals play .... due to Gilas, due to PBL; they are contracted with endorsements, they receive thousands of pesos in "awards" via MVP, rookie of the year .... etc etc. Money is rampant and unregulated .... can game-fixing, gambling be far behind?

My only hope now is that the players are bona-fide students but even then, major, major doubts persist. Soler (inboundspass) reports that Abueva is transferring to FEU. VL Salle refugee Arvie Bringas is set to wear a Tamaraw uniform next season .... our friends from Taft are fielding in Van Opstal who Quinito Henson describes as playing basketball non-stop .... while Webb did not play at the PCCL because he was in the States for further basketball training in the middle of the school year. NU is on its third year of its vaunted basketball program which means that it is ratcheting up its capital expenditure program (which even Coach Black commented upon.) In other words, the rector of Letran's accusation that "these people do not study but only came to play .... and to play for pay" holds true not just for NCAA imports but UAAP players ....

The Ateneo will host the UAAP next year. It will be in a unique position (as defending 3-peat champions) to advance some reform. Never mind officiating or gambling for the moment but recruitment and validation of academic performance are the issues of the day. There needs to be an independent auditor .... certainly not "Anton, Mrs. Francisco of UST, Adamson and DLSU" and of course NU .... the old boy's club who will not incriminate themselves ... but a credible body that will proclaim: "these players are students. They attend classes, take tests, submit papers like any student in their university. They do not play basketball non-stop which give them undue advantage over real students. And by the way, this means that they are getting an education which is the basic premise of a student league anyway."

This means that the Ateneo will have to ensure that its own back-yard is clean. This means that the Ateneo will fulfill its mision/vision of leadership and of nation-building.

“Bobby Ray will play at least two years with NU then he’ll study his options and decide whether or not to continue his college career in the US ,” said Parks who will work closely with Baculi in the NU front office as a consultant and train the Bulldogs’ big men. “After two years, Bobby Ray will have gained enough experience and confidence to play wherever he decides."

Very clearly, an NU diploma is not the priority ..... but basketball. Hmmmm .... Father Lana: "they did not come to study but only to play basketball .... and to play for pay ...."

***************

Parks forgoes Georgia Tech, plays for NU
By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star) Updated January 12, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Newly appointed National University (NU) senior men’s basketball team coach Eric Altamirano said yesterday prized recruit Bobby Ray Parks will suit up for the Bulldogs in the UAAP this year and promised to bring the varsity to new heights.

Since 1987, NU has finished no higher than fourth place in 2001-02. The Bulldogs wound up fifth with a 7-7 record under interim coach Eric Gonzales last season. But with Parks’ addition, Altamirano said the outlook is bright.

“Our goal is to make it to the Final Four in two years,” said Altamirano who piloted Purefoods to the PBA All-Filipino championship in 1997. “We want to be competitive immediately and make an impact.”

Altamirano said Parks, 17, has obtained a certification from the Department of Education that he has completed his high school requirements. He enrolled at NU as a freshman last year. Under usual circumstances, a Fil-foreigner must establish two years of residence before gaining eligibility to play in the UAAP seniors. But Parks was born in the Philippines and lived here until he was brought to the US by his father Bobby four years ago.

“Bobby Ray’s case is similar to Maui Villanueva’s,” said Altamirano referring to the former La Salle cager who gained immediate eligibility to play in the UAAP coming from Japan where his parents worked. “Bobby Ray played for the Philippines in the first Youth Olympics in Singapore last year. Residence is not necessary in his case.”

NU athletics director and Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi said pending the submission of documents to prove his eligibility status, Parks will play for the Bulldogs this coming season.

Parks’ father confirmed the other day that his son will not accept a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech, a US NCAA Division I school. Last November, Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt had announced that Parks would suit up for the Yellow Jackets varsity.

“Bobby Ray will play at least two years with NU then he’ll study his options and decide whether or not to continue his college career in the US ,” said Parks who will work closely with Baculi in the NU front office as a consultant and train the Bulldogs’ big men. “After two years, Bobby Ray will have gained enough experience and confidence to play wherever he decides. But it’s also possible that he’ll finish his college career at NU.”

The former seven-time PBA Best Import awardee said his son will probably grow some more inches and end up taller than him. Parks, a southpaw, is now 6-5. “He’s catching up,” beamed Parks’ 6-6 father, noting their slight height difference. “Bobby Ray’s got skills I never had. He’s quite a player.”

Parks’ mother is Marifer Celine Barbosa, a Filipina. He has dual citizenship.

Altamirano, 44, ended a coaching stint with the Philippines ’ under-16 and under-18 teams to join the Bulldogs. “I’m grateful to the SBP through Mr. MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan, SBP president) and (executive director) Noli (Eala) and most especially, to Mr. Jun Sy for giving me the opportunity to coach the youth team the last two years and in giving honor to our country,” he said. “I learned a lot with the national team. Now, it’s time to give others the chance to experience what I did. In any way I can assist the national team, I will be ready to do what I can for our country.”

Altamirano said he’s bringing in five rookies to beef up the Bulldogs who lose Jewel Ponferrada, Merwin Baloran, Kokoy Hermosisimo and Gerome Tungkol from last season’s roster. The newcomers are Parks, 6-4 Robi Celiz, 6-3 Dennis Villamor, 6-3 Kyle Neypes and 5-7 Cedrick Labingisa. The holdovers are 5-10 Joseph Terso, 5-9 Ivan Ludovice, 6-1 Choi Ignacio, 6-0 Ajeet Singh, 6-3 Jeff Javillonar, 6-4 Glenn Khobuntin, 6-6 Marion Magat, 6-7 Jean Mbe, 6-2 Larry Malanday, 6-4 Joseph Eriubu and 6-0 Paolo Javelona.

It won’t be Altamirano’s first time to coach in the UAAP. In 1996, he led his alma mater UP to the Final Four. Altamirano went on to coach in the PBA.

Altamirano said he hopes the SBP will retain the concept of building a national seniors team with a long-term perspective.

“I realize there is pressure on the national team to show results now,” he said. “But I think the direction should be long-term to target the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. We’ve kept our under-16 and under-18 teams intact the last two years and our players will be our future senior stars, like Jeron Teng and Kiefer Ravena. Iran did that with its under-16 team, kept it intact and brought it up until they were ready to play in the Olympics. It was like an eight to 10-year program. The perfect model was the Northern Cement team of Mr. (Danding) Cojuangco. The team was intact for several years until the players moved to the PBA. By then, they were ripe for the pros.”

Don't look now but FEU is stockpiling blue chippers from the provinces, specifically Pampanga. FEU cornered the market for blue chip players from Pampanga until Baste named a Kabalen coach of the team, Ato Agustin. Agustin in turn brought the crown prince of central Luzon jueteng as team manager of Baste. Out of nowhere, Sangalang and Pascual walks several blocks from Morayta to Recto. The rest is history, Baste went on to stop the 4peat of SBC.

Now that Agustin has forsaken Baste for SMC, the Kabalen boys are ripe to move from Baste to the UAAP where they can get all the exposure they need for the PBA. Soon as Agustin leaves for the PBA, Abueva stops playing for Baste and is rumored to have walked the several blocks to Morayta. How long before the bigs transfer to FEU? The last time FEU won the UAAP championship, the team was led by Arwin Santos a certified Kabalen who belong to the stable of Lubao mayor Pineda.

It is no surprise that the Bringas brothers are playing for FEU. They too answer to Pineda. But Arvie played for DLSU. Correct, but the way was well greased for all concerned from Recto to Taft by way of a toll road that passed by Lubao. The Diliman folks just could not match the offer. Will FEU give Arvie the same arrangement he had at Baste? DLSU tied the bonus of Arvie to his play and classroom performance but apparently Arvie could care less. In the end, DLSU had no choice but to let go of their prize recruit.

So it's an arms race .... an unregulated arms race with schools free to use means, fair and foul, to win a trophy that signifies that what: they have the best basketball team for a year. Does that therefore mean that its graduates will be more prepared for life .... and its diploma will be preferred by employers? Nah. For the educators and alumni of the school: mere bragging rights. That's the perspective of a UAAP which I fear has crossed over into a pro league pretending to be a student league. Unfortunately, within the ranks of the players, there ARE bona-fide students who do value an education; but as I say, it's unfair competition to play against a pro who practices basketball morning, noon and night.

That said, I note that the four-peat season will feature new coaches for UP (Ricky Dandan) NU (Eric Altamirano) UE (Jerry Codinera) and FEU (still unnamed.) Will UST be patient with Coach Pido? I was a little surprised that the primary consideration of Codinera's hiring was that he is a UE alumnus. Homegrown takes precedence over resume.

The beauty of basketball (and sport) is its unpredictability. Hey, the LA Clippers just beat the Miami Heat. Favorite FEU was humbled by a Blue team absent established stars. For those indulging in the unethical arms race, what did Lebron James just tweet .... "karma's a b****."

Developments are unfolding which set the stage for next season. This is getting to be very interesting .....

FEU's recruitment of a new head coach has taken bizarre twists and turns lately. at first, a former UAAP head coach was in the running, only for the rumor mills to say that another former UAAP head coach was also interested in the job. these two had gone up against each other in two consecutive seasons, with one having a better record in their match-ups against the other (hanep sa clues, 'no? ).

p.s. i like the way these things are being written -- daig pa blind item sa business, society, o entertainment sections hehehe

You can always trust the basketball forum to be up and about, even when the th rest of this website is now a dot-com fossil.