Back to the beat

The First Gentleman came. So did Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, the vice chief of staff, and Western Police District director Sr. Superintendent Pedro Bulaong. Then there were beauties like Tracy Torres of the movie "Tukaan" and Mutya Ng Pilipinas Canada 1999 Emelin Cruz.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Eric Buhain showed up. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza’s son Ali, a taekwondo internationalist and chairman of the Manila Sports Council, was also accounted for.

Obviously, this was no ordinary gathering. The occasion was the opening of this year’s National Press Club (NPC) inter-beat basketball tournament at the San Andres gym in Malate last Sunday.

NPC sports committee chairman Willie Caliwan and his brother Loy organized the morning shebang. They were at the venue as early as 7:30 a.m., assembling the teams, making sure the balloons were in place, and coordinating with the Presidential Security Group. Loy, a Balita stalwart, came carrying the Mikasa indoor/outdoor ball he bought at Toby’s for over P900 the night before to augment the pair donated by Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Tiny Literal.

NPC president Louie Logarta reported early, too. He was excited that Attorney Mike had confirmed his attendance as manager of the Malacañang squad. In all the years of the NPC tournament, I can’t recall a more prominent figure gracing the season opener. So Louie, looking dapper in a polo barong, had reason to be excited. We all were.

My role in the inaugurals was to act as master of ceremonies. As I stepped up to the mike, I couldn’t help reminiscing how the NPC inter-beat basketball tournament was over 20 years ago when I played for Sports and later for Business when I wrote for Business Day. What a metamorphosis for me–from a player to an emcee.

In 1980, the NPC president was Olaf Giron and there were only six teams in the inter-beat tournament–Offbeat, Press Photographers, Sports, Agriculture and Defense, Metro Manila, and Business.

The players on the Sports team were Larry Galvez, Ernie Gonzales, Recah Trinidad, Jun Engracia, Joe Pavia, Lito Tacujan, Nap Gutierrez, Pyke Jocson, Bert Eljera, Joe Antonio, Al Mendoza, Philip Evardone, and yours truly. Quite a cast, don’t you think? Our manager was Danny Floro who provided us with Crispa bags and T-shirts before the tournament.

The Caliwan brothers–Willie and Loy–played on the Offbeat squad with Richard Owen, Vergel Santos, Anthony Giron, Ramon Romualdez, Reny Ticzon, Robert Mananquil, Jess Antiporda, Fort Yerro, Felipe Estrella, and Cris Martinez.

The Press Photographers team listed Joe Arazas whose brother Engracio or Boy was a national player, Bong Agustines, Nick Galino, Willie Vicoy, Rudy Sakdalan, Jimmy Giron, and Noli Yamsuan.

The Agriculture and Defense combine counted on Bobby Ticzon, Ding Panganiban, Alex Allan, and Cris Maralit. Metro Manila’s team included Boy de los Santos, Jojo Ventura, Willie Caballes, and Sean Reyes.

Business was composed of Conrad Banal, Bombing Gutierrez, Ronnie Romero, Kiko Baltazar, and Joel Ompoc, among others.

In 1980, the games were played three to a day at the Rizal Memorial. I remember one particular triplebill–on Oct. 26. Agriculture and Defense beat Offbeat, 90-79, in the first game. Bobby Ticzon shot 24 points. Owen had 22, Santos 19, Giron 17, and the Caliwan brothers, a combined 17. In the second game, Metro Manila defeated Business, 109-81. De los Santos shot 23. Banal, now an Inquirer columnist and a popular radio show host, erupted for 49. In the third game, Sports downed Press Photographers, 90-87, but commissioner Skip Agcaoili called it off with 7.5 seconds left after referee Ramon Alvarado was punched by Joe Arazas who scored 37 points. Those were the days. Joe’s son Eric now plays in the NPC inter-beat league. Galvez shot 27, Gonzales 25, Trinidad 19 and I chipped in 12. Agustines backed up Joe with 33 points and Galino netted 10.

How could I remember those stats? I kept the Evening Express clipping of the boxscores for posterity.

How the inter-beat has grown, I thought. Last Sunday, there were 11 teams in the parade–Bureau of Customs, Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) beat, Central Police District, Department of National Defense, Malacañang, Metro Manila Development Authority, National Capital Region Police Office, Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission, Quezon City Hall, Senate, and Sports.

In his welcome remarks, Louie spoke about fostering camaraderie and rapport within the NPC. Then, NPC vice president Anthony Giron introduced Ali Atienza and Buhain as guest speakers. Ali promised to donate a championship trophy–aside from what was contributed by Lt. Gen. Benjie Defensor–while Buhain goodnaturedly reminded the players that their sport is basketball, not boxing. He stressed the importance of sports in our daily life.

The First Gentleman graciously agreed to lead in the recitation of the oath of sportsmanship. Attorney Mike brought the house down when he invited all the participants–players, coaches, muses, ballboys, and everyone else–to a fellowship at Malacañang at the end of the tournament. He also promised to give P200,000 for the operation of the league. Additionally, Attorney Mike gave the P3,000 Shoemart gift certificates–donated by Sogo Regency Hotel–to Tracy Torres, voted Best Muse. He was mobbed by well-wishers and fans for picture-taking after Caliwan formally announced the opening of the tournament.

Then it was time for the ceremonial first toss.