Coach ties the knot

Last Sunday, two-time UAAP juniors champion La Salle Zobel basketball coach Boris Aldeguer ended 32 years of bachelorhood and married the girl of his dreams, Pia. He was the last of seven children to tie the knot and his father Fernando couldn’t be happier with his daughter-in-law who’s being primed to help out in the family construction business.

The Aldeguers are passionate about sports. Fernando, or Fer as he is fondly called, was a La Salle Bacolod basketball star and would’ve suited up for the Ateneo seniors varsity if not for his father’s untimely death at the age of 50 in 1959. 

Fer was recruited by no less than Ateneo’s athletic director Fr. Edgar Martin to play for the Eagles. 

“I remember receiving a telegram from Fr. Martin himself inviting me to try out in Manila,” said Fer. “So I left Bacolod and reported to Ateneo coach Roco. I made the team, joining players like Ed Ocampo, Bobby Littaua, Cris Arroyo, Dodie Agcaoili, Lito Carvajal, Tony Jose and Dodo Martelino. Then, my father passed away and I had to go back to Bacolod.”

Fer, the oldest of seven (his two living brothers are Tony or Bidoy – the ALA boxing stable owner – and Gus, the singer and his sisters include the popular dancers Terry and Lally), gave up his basketball ambitions to earn a living since his father, who was not insured, left nothing behind. By the way, a brother Bingbong – the youngest in the family and a Hotel Intercontinental executive – died in New York of a liver ailment.

“It was a very, very hard life for us,” recalled Fer. “I had to stop schooling. My first job was driving a big truck for Eveready, delivering batteries and flashlights all over Negros. I used to send a portion of my salary and commissions to my brother Bidoy who studied in Manila.”

Later, Bidoy found a job at Tabacalera, was assigned in Cebu where he met his wife Lou and settled for good, establishing his own business and the fabled ALA stable of world-class fighters.

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Fer eventually returned to school and finished his studies except he never completed ROTC requirements. He married civil engineer and architect Cely Ramirez in 1966. Together, they built a successful construction company. His wife has been involved in a wide range of Ayala Land projects, including condominiums, office buildings and residential subdivisions.

In the late 1960s, Fer went back to his love – basketball – as the La Salle Bacolod senior varsity coach. He made school history by steering the team to third place – its highest finish ever – in the national intercollegiate championships in Baguio City, losing only to San Beda College and Letran.

Fer’s love of the game influenced not only Boris but also his only other son Dino who became a star with La Salle in the UAAP and played briefly in the PBA. A daughter Ella is married to Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis.

Last season, Boris piloted La Salle Zobel to its second UAAP juniors crown. He brought the first title to the Alabang school in 2005. A one-year suspension slapped on the entire La Salle program in the UAAP prevented the Junior Archers from defending their throne in 2006.

With two titles under his belt, Boris is now hoping to expand his horizons and explore other opportunities at a higher level of competition. He has applied as assistant coach in the PBL.

“I think it’s time for Boris to gain more experience as a coach beyond the UAAP juniors,” said Fer. “He’s serious about pursuing a career in coaching. We’re turning over his responsibilities in our family business to his wife Pia.”

Boris’ biggest fan has to be his father who never fails to attend practices and games of the Junior Archers. No wonder after La Salle Zobel clinched the crown last season, one by one, the players went up to Fer – at the sidelines – to give their thanks for his unflinching support.

Like his brother Bidoy, Fer is a huge boxing fan. When Erik Morales visited Manila last year, Fer made sure he shook El Terrible’s hand and took a picture together to immortalize the moment.

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Fer said his early life of hardship taught him lessons that he has passed on to his children, all of whom are now accomplished professionals.

“None of our children is spoiled,” continued Fer. “We raised them to be independent and to be survivors. Of course, my wife and I never wanted them to experience the hardship I went through.”

The upbringing paid off handsome dividends. The oldest Aldeguer, Maricris, is an industrial engineering graduate of La Salle and is married to Gun Roque of Kamiseta fame. Second oldest Ana Marie studied at UP and is now a neurologist at the Asian Hospital. Marivic is a UP economics graduate who is married to architect John-John Pangilinan. Then there is Ella, a La Salle industrial engineering graduate. Boris finished at La Salle. Dino operates his own business, providing floor protective coating for buildings and factories, and is married to Michelle Teves, a former La Salle classmate. Youngest child Tessa is also a La Salle industrial engineering graduate who was married to Mark Tamayo last year.

At the wedding reception in the Manila Polo Club last Sunday evening, Boris and Pia welcomed well-wishers who included boxing man Johnny Elorde and wife Liza (their son Nico plays on the Zobel squad), Fritz Webb (son Joshua starred in Zobel’s two title teams) and Solar Sports broadcaster Vito Lazatin (Boris’ schoolmate).

As the festivities went deep into the night, you could almost see the sparkle in Fer’s eyes. The proud father now has seven married children with 14 grandchildren. He overcame trials early in his life to take care of his mother Anicia – who lived to the age of 94 until her death last year – brothers, sisters and his own family. 

Through it all, Fer never lost faith in the Lord. Fer worked hard, made an honest living, raised a wonderful family and kept God in the center of his life.