R and R

Los Angeles – Long before the "Cool Cat" flourished as a Green Archer in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), he displayed his classic point guard skills and potentials here. And long after the spotlight on Rudy Distrito has faded from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), he flaunted his never-say-die-attitude in a community league where the retirees and up and coming Fil-Am stars put on regular showdowns on the hardcourt.

The Filipino American Masters Basketball (FAMBA) was founded on September 6, 1995 by Ramon Celiz primarily as an avenue for Filipinos to get together through sports. At that time, he learned that the Filipino Community in Los Angeles was growing and among the migrants were former basketball superstars in the Philippines. A lot of them choose to retire here in the United States to lead a simple life with their families away from the buzz and glitz in Asia’s premier league. "I wanted to spend more time with my children after I retired from the PBA," said the former PBA veteran known for his long-range shooting, Naning Valenciano, now residing in Long Beach with his wife and two kids.

But ballers that they are, love for ball cannot be curtailed. And to satisfy their craving for hoop action, they turn to FAMBA. "Ito lang din ang time naming na magkita-kita kasi puro trabaho at bahay lang kami "Pag Sunday, dito kami naglalaro," added Valenciano.

The California-based league had humble beginnings in Torrance, a small part of Los Angeles. It has three conferences throughout the year — Founder’s, Challenge, and Mayor’s Cups. Each conference lasts from 3-4 months and played at the newly refurbished Veterans Sports Complex Gym, where fans can also chance upon seeing Michael Olowokandi, Lamar Odom, and Corey Maggette during LA Clippers practice. The gym is located in Carson, a city in LA known for having the biggest Filipino community in all of America.

FAMBA, headed by Celiz who once played for various commercial leagues in the Philippines and is now a sports writer in some Filipino publications here in LA, also organizes Inter-state Invitationals where members of the FAMBA selection pack their bags and hop from one state to another to compete in other Filipino basketball leagues in other states. Last year, local heroes, "Wild Jokers" beat the San Francisco selection that was led by Ponky Alolor, who exhibited remarkable defensive skills during his time in the PBA.

Since its inception, the humble league has grown into two major divisions — the Masters Division for players 35 years and older, and the Open Division which is, as name implies, open to everyone regardless of age. Players are recruited by commercial teams from all over Southern California. Now on its 8th season, FAMBA has a total of 24 teams in the Masters Division, and 16 in the Open Class and has undoubtedly become not only a showcase of past PBA greats but also a gold mine of young Filipino-American recruits.

"Mike Cortez played here during his free time when he was starting his basketball career," said Celiz. One game that he remembers vividly was when then 17-year-old promising ball star matched up against ex-Anejo veteran Rudy Distrito, best remembered for his miracle shot that enabled the Gins to hurdle a 1-3 deficit against Shell in the 1991 PBA Governor’s Cup. The Destroyer’s team bowed to the Cool Cat’s after the latter sank a buzzer-beating trey. Cortez has since gone on to big games in the UAAP where he averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. He is currently preparing for the game of his life as the country awaits his debut in the PBA to see if this top overall recruit is really worth his P8.7M contract with Alaska.

PBA 2001 Rookie of the Year, Mark Caguioa also awed fans at the Veterans gym with his high leaping ability before setting off sparks for Barangay Ginebra at the Araneta Coliseum. He was here four Sundays ago playing ball with his former FAMBA friends. His father, Ric, also plays for a team in the Masters Division.

The latest pride of this league is another first-rounder in the 2003 PBA draft, 24-year old Brandon Lee Kaui Cablay who stirred the interest of the basketball community after inking an P8.7-M contract with the Alaska Aces, same package as the one Cortez got. Cablay, who averaged 24 points and no less than 8 boards per game, was in fact FAMBA Most Valuable Player last year. Regular followers of the league remember his court antics fondly. At 6-foot and 180 lbs, he can defend well. "He can make it in the PBA. He’s comfortable in the 1 or 2 position. He can jump and he can shoot from the outside," said Yves Dignadice, former San Miguel power forward, and teammate of Cablay here in FAMBA.

Tony dela Cruz of Shell was also a regular FAMBA player here in California before he sealed a deal with the Turbochargers in Manila.

UAAP 2001 Rookie of the Year, Mark Cardona also started in FAMBA before flying over to the Philippines to become one of the DLSU Archers’ gems. And speaking of the UAAP, some fans would also see familiar faces during regular Sunday FAMBA games. Former Ateneo Blue Eagles Brandon and Bryan Sison, Ryan Pamintuan, and Tonichi Pinzon are teammates here in Forex Cargo.

Aside from Distrito, Valenciano, and Dignadice, other ex-PBA stars strutting their wares in the league are Macky de Joya, Jun Jabar who is based in Burbank, California, and former San Sebastian Stag who played among the pros in the PBA, Brixter Encarnacion. Francis Arnaiz, one of PBA’s 25 greatest, also joins FAMBA Invitational together with Danny Florencio. Both are now based in San Francisco.

For these ex-PBA stars, this is where they park their fulfilling basketball careers. This is also where the fulfillment of their dreams mix with the budding careers of the young and promising Fil-Am cagers. For the rest of the players, this is relaxation and recreation, a league where they get to play with R & R — PBA retirees and up and coming Fil-Am rookies.

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