Throwback time for Cebu Gems

CEBU, Philippines —  In a unique way, the pioneering members of the Cebu Gems refreshed their golden moments while playing for the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed squad in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) over two decades ago.

Dondon Hontiveros, Leode Garcia and Nilo Quirante proudly shared on their Facebook page their pictures  wearing a replica of their uniforms with the Gems during the inaugural MBA season in 1998.

The retro jerseys were specially tailored for them by AER Concepts managed by Ervin Lopena and Abe Galinato, himself a collegiate star with the Cebu Doctors’ College (now CDU) Stallions under coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba during his prime.

Hontiveros, a former PBA star who is now a Cebu City Councilor, Garcia and Quirante formed part of the first ever Cebu Gems lineup mentored by Leoncio “Jun” Tan Jr., a former member of the Philippine team

Skippered by Garcia, who is now the head coach of his beloved alma mater University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, the rest of the original Gems were Fil-Ams Rob Wainwright, Chris Tan and Rob Duat, college standouts Michael Manigo, Richard Caliao, Michael Almonte, Jan Montalbo, Stephen Padilla and Aldrin Ocanada, and ex-pro Rudy Enterina.

Backed up by an army of diehard fans, the Gems, with new coach Tonichi Yturri at the helm, advanced to the MBA Southern Conference Finals against bitter rivals Negros Slashers.

They raced to an imposing 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven title series but were denied of history as the Slashers, under the command of Cebuano coach Jun Noel, staged a highly improbable comeback by sweeping the next three games to win the historic crown.

Even though they didn’t attain championship success that season, Garcia, who wasn’t able to see action in the finals because of a groin injury, still has so much treasure stored in his memory vault.

“My stint with the Cebu Gems was a memorable one. I was one of the key players and always part of the starting lineup of coach Jun Tan at that time,” recalled Garcia, who keeps his hands busy at this time of pandemic by holding free workout exercises online and selling USANA products.

“I could say that it was the peak of my career. Some even called me the Kenneth Duremdes and the Scottie Pippen of Cebu,” added Garcia in slight jest. “I really missed our times with the Gems. The memories we had are something to cherish for.”

During his college days, Garcia bagged two titles with the Jaguars in the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (now the CESAFI) in 1991 and 1993. He made it to the finals for the third time, this time as coach of the Jaguars two years ago but unfortunately they lost to the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.