Another Aldeguer makes it big in sports

Overshadowed by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers’ spectacular seventh University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball title since joining the league in 1986 and after serving a one-year suspension was the second basketball championship captured by the Junior Archers of De La Salle-Zobel (DLS-Zobel) during the 70th UAAP season.

The Junior Archers, mentored by the 32-year-old Boris Aldeguer, swept the highly-fancied Ateneo Blue Eaglets to annex their second title since 1955 when DLSU was still a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Prior to winning their second crown, the Junior Archers captured in 2005 the first title in 50 years of any La Salle junior squad in either the UAAP or NCAA.

In 1955, the Greenies (as they were then called) won the NCAA junior championship behind the heroics of, among others, Kurt Bachmann, Dominador Sevillano, Honorato Cruz Jr., Manolo Villava and Alvin Schlobohm. 

The main architect of the DLS-Zobel Junior Archers’ successful campaign was a coaching staff led by Aldeguer, which included Raymond Magsumbol who was assigned the task of training the squad’s big men; Warren Capitan, former College of St. Benilde Blazer who joined the coaching team in 2006 and trained the squad’s small men and sharpened the entire team’s shooting skills; and Gian Nazario, former DLS-Zobel Junior Archer who worked on the individual skills of the players like dribbling, defending against bigger men and boxing out.

Boris, fifth among seven children of Fernando Aldeguer and the former Araceli Ramirez was born in Bacolod but raised in Manila. He took over as DLS-Zobel coach on the recommendation of then head coach former Green Archer Juno Sauler shortly before the start of the UAAP season in 2004. Despite the late start, Aldeguer guided the Junior Archers into the Final Four. They were, however, swept in one game by the more seasoned University of Sto. Tomas Baby Tigers, who enjoyed a twice-to-beat advantage.

In 2005, Aldeguer faced the Far Eastern University (FEU) Baby Tamaraws in the semis. The Archers, who had wound up in second spot after the eliminations, bested FEU once to gain a championship slot.

The other half of the semifinals had the UP Baby Maroons, in fourth place in the Final Four standings, going up against the powerful Ateneo Eaglets who topped the eliminations. The Eaglets, however, squandered their twice-to-beat advantage over the Baby Maroons with the latter prevailing in two games to set up a championship date with DLS-Zobel. 

With a highly motivated, well-coached and talented squad that included Simon Atkins, Miguel de Asis, Martin Reyes and Dan Salvador, the Archers defeated the Baby Maroons in two games, winning each game by more than 20 points.

Energized by their triumph, the Archers prepared for the defense of their crown in the 69th season. Alas, the UAAP Board suspended the entire DLSU to include even DLS-Zobel and other teams that had nothing to do with the eligibility controversy in basketball. 

Rather than sulk, Aldeguer spent 2006 rebuilding the team and joining many leagues. The investment paid off as the Junior Archers captured the UAAP junior crown in dramatic fashion in 2007.

Aldeguer finished his grade school (1988) and high school (1992) at DLS-Zobel and AB Economics at DLSU-Manila in 1999. At 5-foot-11, Boris played for Team B of DLSU as shooting guard. Team A consisted of Jason Webb (uncle of Joshua), Maui Roca, Chris Tan, Alvin Magpantay, Jun Limpot, Jonas Mariano and Tony Boy Espinosa.

Boris, older brother of ex-Green Archer Dino, captain of the 1998 DLSU champion squad and who saw action in the PBA and other leagues, says he draws inspiration from his father Ferds (his number one critic) who coached the DLS-Bacolod team and uncle Tony, noted boxing manager and sports philanthropist, and also a former player and coach.

Of Tony, Aldeguer says he would like to copy the way Tony combines firm discipline, motivation and genuine support to bring out the best in his wards. Boris says “That’s the way I would like to treat my players.”

Although things augur well for Aldeguer, his biggest challenge is to make do with players who are able to meet DLS-Zobel’s stringent academic standards and nurture them to championship caliber. “I have to do with what the school gives me because we neither give scholarships nor recruit aggressively.”