BANAL VS BANAL

There is drama in sports –this we only know too well. When the Ateneo Blue Eagles conquered the once-unbeatable De La Salle Green Archers in last year’s theatrical showdown, tears were shed, exaltation erupted, and fans proclaimed it nothing short of a miracle. And amid the winners and losers there stood a hero: Joel Banal, first-time head coach for the Ateneo, himself a non-Atenean.

This year, another drama unfolds, and it’s leaning towards a family drama. After the Eagles shamed the Archers yet again in a crushing defeat at the semis, Joel Banal is about to face an opponent for the championships never before seen in local sports: his own brother, Koy Banal, head coach of the FEU Tamaraws.

In this brother vs. brother melodrama, one might ask: What was it in the water of the Banal household that led them to such a poignant moment in sports history?

An unshakable faith in God and a relentless pursuit to give their very best is what they would all say. A brood of three brothers and six sisters, there is nothing banal about the Banal family. Eldest brother Conrad was once a player for the Ateneo Blue Eagles and Philippine STAR business editor and is now a business columnist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer; sister Chelo Banal Formoso is lifestyle editor also of Inquirer. They were raised by a hardworking police officer father, Conrado Banal Jr., who passed away two years ago, while their mother, Jovencia, herself a basketball fanatic, survives as the family matriarch. Joel who was circulation director of STAR, is the third child while Koy is the sixth. All Banal children have risen from their humble beginnings to put themselves through school and emerge as achievers in their chosen fields.

Koy’s wife of 16 years, Minelle, says of her husband: "As a husband and father, he is just like he is as a coach. He likes everything to be in order. He disciplines the children. We’re all into basketball and he makes sure that he spends a lot of time with us. He has no vices, he hardly goes out. He’s really a family man, just like Joel."

Jenny Banal, Joel’s other half, says the same thing: "Joel is really the leader in the family. He is the protector. He treats his players like his children and vice versa. He is very serious about his accountability and responsibility. I would call it ‘covering’. That’s what it is."

Minelle also reveals that Koy looks up to Joel in every way, and it is their brotherly bond that is reflective of how much family values mean to the entire Banal family. She recounts a heartrending time in their lives that she would never forget:

"Koy and I just had our first baby, but I gave birth to him prematurely. He direly needed a complete blood transfusion. It was Joel, who had the same blood type, who donated it, without any hesitation. So Joel’s blood runs in our eldest son, and so the ties we have with him are just unbreakable."

On the other hand, Jenny says that the secret of her successful marriage is that they are bonded by prayer. Joel likes to refer to his wife as his "prayer warrior": The couple believes it is the shared prayer between husband and wife that makes their family so blessed. "It’s really not easy for me to watch his games," she admits, "because I get so carried away. It pains me so much to see him lose, but at the same time I also derive so much joy when I see my husband when he is victorious."

True, it is spectacular to pit brother against brother in the game of life, but it is even rarer still to find the kind of brotherhood and closeness, rather than sibling rivalry, that Joel has with Koy. In the inevitable finale of this UAAP season where only one can be declared winner, one can also say that no matter the outcome, it is this extraordinary Banal family that will triumph above all.

Who was your favorite basketball player?

Koy: Willy Generalao and Hector Calma, and Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas.

Joel: Growing up, it was Jaworski.

Who was your favorite coach?

Koy: Chot Reyes and Phil Jackson, and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University.

Joel: Baby Dalupan. The winningest coach in the PBA. Phil Jackson and Pat Riley.

If you weren’t into basketball, what would you be doing?

Koy: I’d be a businessman. I used to be a salesman for Coca-Cola for six years because our eldest brother Conrad always encouraged us to have a fallback profession outside of basketball. Since I was the youngest among the boys I was a bit spoiled so my older brothers influenced me to become more serious.

Joel: I would be a businessman. I am already one at the moment – my wife and I own a preschool in Pasig.

What are your hobbies? How do you unwind?

Koy: I read books. I like eating out with my wife.

Joel: Watching movies. Malling with my family. I frequent the church.

Favorite kind of music.

Koy: Gospel music

Joel: Gospel music. My favorite song is Smooth by Santana and Rob Thomas.

Favorite movie.

Koy: The Untouchables. There’s a line there where Al Capone says: Keep fighting till the fighting’s done. I like to use that.

Joel: Braveheart.

What’s your motto?

Koy: There’s no shortcut to success. It’s about the right attitude and hard work.

Joel: Do everything for the glory of God.

Agree or disagree: It’s not a matter of winning or losing, it’s how you play the game.

Koy: I agree. It’s always my belief that as long as you did your best it doesn’t matter what the outcome is.

Joel: Disagree. It’s a matter of winning or winning!

What’s your favorite board game?

Koy: Game of the Generals. I was actually a second placer there and have trophy to prove it!

Joel: Scrabble and chess. Chess is my favorite – I play it with Conrad.

What was your basketball fantasy as a child?

Koy: Playing in the championship and guarding the star player of the opponent.

Joel: Just to become a player. I was just a mascot as far as I can remember. It was one step at a time. I was going to the next level, from college, to professional. My goal was to get a scholarship to college, and that’s why I played. I was forced into collegiate basketball because I wanted to study. Now, players are studying because they want to play!

What do you like most about your brother?

Koy: His passion for the game and his faith in God.

Joel: He’s thoughtful. He’s obedient to me! He was my playmate.

What do you like least about your brother?

Koy: He has a tendency to like working alone. Sometimes he chooses not to ask for help.

Joel: He’s moody. Short-fused, but nearly all of us are like that. But because of our faith we all mellowed out.

Describe your temperament.

Koy: I’m very intense. I don’t like to lose.

Joel: My temperament is almost exactly like Koy’s.

What has basketball taught you about life?

Koy: I learned how to sacrifice for the good of the team. As a coach it’s a great challenge to be able to motivate a player who shows a lack of interest, to bring out the best in him. Sports isn’t about just your attitude as a player, but as a person, as a human being. God gave me this job for me to be His instrument, to share His love, His word.

Joel: Basketball not only gave me material things, but it helped developed my character. I gained confidence because of what I can do on the floor. You can be bright and educated, but you can’t beat me one-on-one. That gave me great confidence.

What do you think is the future of basketball in the Philippnes?

Koy: I think the quality of the game is improving. You see it in the players and the coaches.

Joel: It’ll be around for a long time. There’s no close second sport in the country.

What’s your most memorable childhood moment with your brother?

Koy: As an older brother Joel was very helpful. One time our mother bought me a new pair of slippers. I was about six, Joel was about 10 or 11. We were playing basketball in the court outside our house. I took the slippers off. Before I knew it, my slippers disappeared. I was so scared that my mom would get angry so I kept crying. At that time Joel was saving money then, but he got his piggy bank and took out his savings. We went to the market and he bought me a new pair. He even bought me a meal to cheer me up. I will never forget that.

Joel: I have a very vivid and emotional memory about that. He was my roommate, so he would always get the most pasalubong. Once, I was in Japan and I bought two pairs of Tiger shoes for him. That night I dreamt that he died. I woke up shaking and crying. He became so close to me after that.

What was the worst fight you ever had?

Koy: I was playing for San Beda then, in college, and Joel was already playing for the national team which meant he was constantly traveling. One time he went out of town and I had his car. I had a practice game at the Ateneo but I was supposed to pick him up. Then I had to take my mom to the hospital for a check-up, then the game ended late, then there was a party after the game. By the time I picked him up he was really furious. I never saw him that angry.

Joel: I don’t remember the reason, but he once answered back at me when I was trying to discipline him. I hit him across the face. That was the first and last time that ever happened.

What was your most memorable bonding moment as adults?

Koy: Since we were such a big family our house lacked rooms, and Joel chose me as his roommate. We were really close. By that time he was already earning from basketball so I would borrow his stuff. I would always get the most pasalubong from him.

Joel: It’s the times we share now, talking about basketball 24 hours a day.

What do you like most about your brother’s coaching style?

Koy: I like the way he motivates his players. He has very good communication skills.

Joel: Koy’s very open to new ideas. He’s always trying to learn something new.

What do you like least about your brother’s coaching style?

Koy: He used to have this high percentage style, but the transition team tends to turn over the ball. I was trying to convince him not to do that.

Joel: There was a time he became too bookish. He was too intent on copying the techniques of other coaches rather than using his own instincts.

You’re making history by being the first brother vs. brother coaches. Do you have mixed emotions about the outcome of the tournament?

Koy: No. I only have one emotion. I’m dead set on winning. I won’t settle for second best! I know it’s a healthy competition. It will only make us better persons, better coaches. Whatever happens it’s all part of God’s plan.

Joel: Yes, I have mixed feelings. I want my brother to experience what it’s like to win a championship, of course. But my focus is on my responsibility to Ateneo, my players, the alumni, the parents of my players. And I want them to win, first and foremost.