Legends agree it’s 50-50 in Game 3

MANILA, Philippines - Basketball legends got together for a reunion at the Italianni’s Restaurant on High Street in Global City the other day and their consensus was it’s 50-50 in the deciding Game 3 of the UAAP senior men’s basketball championships between UST and La Salle.  The clincher is set at the Mall of Asia Arena this afternoon.

The group was led by Caloy Loyzaga, honored as one of the planet’s top 10 players after the Philippines took third place at the FIBA World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in 1954.  Loyzaga, 83, was joined by Tony Genato, 84, Paing Hechanova, 85, Ramoncito Campos, 87, Kurt Bachmann, 77, and Boni Carbonell, 80.   The gathering was organized by restauranteur Jack Rodriguez, a successful businessman who played two years with Bachmann at La Salle under coach Chito Calvo.

“It’s an honor to assemble these greats under one roof and it’s not often that they’re together,” said Rodriguez.  â€œThey all want to meet at least once a month.  We’re not getting any younger and they’re excited to come together to talk about our favorite sport.  I bumped into Congressman (Hermilando) Mandanas at the restaurant before the meeting and when he found out Kurt was around, the first thing he asked was to take a picture with him.  These legends are an inspiration to all of us.”

Campos, a three-time Olympian, played both for UST and La Salle so his loyalties are divided.  He led UST to two championships and La Salle to one.  His father Ramon was a first baseman and pitcher with the UST varsity.  â€œIf I get a ticket to the game, I’ll sit in the middle section,” he chuckled.  â€œFor La Salle to win, I think (Norbert) Torres has to play to his potential.  He’s the difference maker.  You can expect the usual from (Arnold) Van Opstal, (Almond) Vosotros and (Jeron) Teng so if Torres plays well, he could be the deciding factor.  For UST to win, it’s important for (Kevin) Ferrer, (Jeric) Teng and (Aljon) Mariano to play their game.  (Jamil) Sheriff has a tendency to hold the ball too long.  If Sheriff is able to get the ball moving, he could be a factor, too.  UST’s advantage is experience with coach Pido (Jarencio) a veteran of the game.”

Hechanova, a 1952 Helsinki Olympian and a UST architecture graduate, said he expects a mind war between Jarencio and La Salle coach Juno Sauler.  â€œIt will come down to execution,” said Hechanova who was named Mr. Basketball by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in 1951 after he skippered UST to multiple championships.  â€œIt’s anybody’s game.  Sauler is an up-and-coming coach, very composed, very cerebral, while Jarencio is very experienced and knows what it takes to win.”

Bachmann, who led La Salle to the NCAA senior men’s title in 1956 and played in the 1960 Olympics, hesitated to predict a winner, agreeing with his fellow legends that it’s a toss-up.  â€œIf La Salle plays its game, they’ll win,” he said.  â€œBut I’ll say the same about UST.  It’s 50-50.  Every weekend, I go to my beach house in Batangas so I don’t get to watch the games. Basketball was different when we played. During our time, we played for the love of the game and our school.  I hope it’s the same today.”

Genato, a two-time Olympian who was Loyzaga’s blood brother on the floor with San Beda, YCO and the Philippine team, said it’s too close to call.  â€œI’m impressed with Van Opstal,” he said.  â€œHe plays physical and uses his head.  I notice in the last few games, he has developed a passing game because he is often double-teamed.”

Carbonell, a 1956 Olympian who once scored 46 points for San Beda in the NCAA, also said it’s 50-50.  â€œIf the game is defense-oriented, La Salle has the advantage but if it’s offense-oriented, UST has the edge,” he said.  â€œI’m surprised UST is not more defense-minded because when he used to play, Pido was an excellent defender.  Pido’s experience is a big factor.  But if San Beda plays against either team in the Finals, my choice will be San Beda.  We’re looking forward to our own Finals in the NCAA this year and our goal is to finish the eliminations No. 1 or No. 2 so we get a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.”

Loyzaga, unable to speak because of a stroke, relished his role as a spectator with his co-Hall of Famers struggling to make a Game 3 forecast.  His son Chito, the UAAP Commissioner, said he’s not taking the Big Difference to watch the contest.  â€œI take my dad to all the San Beda games, junior and seniors, and sometimes, we spend the whole day watching games,” he said.  â€œBut in the UAAP, it’s work for me so I’m not able to attend to my dad.  I’ll make it up to him after the season ends.”