Altamirano glad to run PBA 3x3
Eric Altamirano is relishing the opportunity to play a key role in the PBA’s grand plans for 3x3 basketball with the ultimate goal of qualifying Pinoy ballers to the Olympics......»»
TNT bags title
Mikey Williams saved his best for last and carried TNT to a historic first-ever championship in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup as the Tropang Giga finished the best-of-seven championship Friday night with a 97-93 win over Barangay Ginebra. Williams put on a shooting clinic, hitting nine treys and finishing the game with 38 points as the Tropang Giga completed their date with the destiny of finally winning the season-ending tournament in front of 13,558 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. While TNT captured its first Governors' Cup, head coach Jojo Lastimosa and Calvin Oftana also cherished the moment of winning the first championships of their respective careers. Winning a title right in his first conference as a mentor, Lastimosa joined the elite cast of coaches to win just in their maiden conference. His feat enabled him to join Narciso Bernardo (1984 First All-Filipino Conference, Crispa), Chot Reyes (1993 All-Filipino, Coney Island), Eric Altamirano (1997 All-Filipino, Purefoods), Ryan Gregorio (2002 Governors' Cup, Purefoods) and Joel Banal (2003 All-Filipino, TNT) as debuting tacticians who struck paydirt right away. Oftana, on the other hand, won his first championship as a PBA player. Plucked from NLEX in the mid-season in a trade involving top overall rookie pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and veteran forward Troy Rosario, Oftana immediately became an impact player for the Tropang Giga. In Game 6, the Tropang Giga battled foul trouble in the early goings with Poy Erram and Calvin Oftana each nursing three fouls in the first half as Barangay Ginebra played with much sense of urgency and dictated the tempo, leading by as many as 11 points, 44-33, on Scottie Thompson's two free throws with 4:17 left before the half time break. But the first half was practically a one-man show for Mikey Williams, who torched the nets for 26 points and hit seven-of-12 shots from beyond the arc to keep the Tropang Giga in the thick of the fight. Williams' 26 points in the first half were the most by a local player in the first half since Game 2 of the best-of-seven championship series between TNT and Rain or Shine in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup when Jayson Castro pumped in 27 points. Castro, a seven-time PBA champion, is still playing for the Tropang Giga, but his role has diminished as the franchise's sixth man. A scoring champion two years ago, Williams, a Finals Most Valuable Player when TNT last won the title in the 2021 Philippine Cup, also had 26 points in the second half of TNT's 98-106 loss to Magnolia in Game 3 of their 2021 Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series. Willaims had taken over in the first half as import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson acted more like a facilitator, giving the local players good looks to the basket. Hollis-Jefferson, the newly-minted Best Import, scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but could only make three of his 10 shots from the field in the first 24 minutes of play. The post TNT bags title appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Altamirano, Baste sinagasaan Chiefs
UMARIBA si Camillus Itchie Altamirano para pagbidahan ang San Sebastian-Recoletos Golden Stags kontra Arellano University Chiefs, 60-51, sa first game ng 98th NCAA men's basketball tournament Martes sa FilOil EcoOil Centre sa San Juan City. The post Altamirano, Baste sinagasaan Chiefs first appeared on Abante......»»
Babaeng nambugbog sa traffic enforcer sa Maynila, sangkot sa ilegal na droga
Iniulat ng Manila Police District – Special Mayor’s Reaction Team o MPD-SMaRT na napag-alamang drug courier ang babaeng nanakit sa isang traffic enforcer sa lungsod. Ayon sa Manila Public Information Office, naaresto rin ang mga kasabwat nito sa isang operasyon na naganap sa tapat ng Universidad de Manila. Naunang nahuli si Pauline Mae Altamirano, 26-anyos […] The post Babaeng nambugbog sa traffic enforcer sa Maynila, sangkot sa ilegal na droga appeared first on Bandera......»»
3x3 blueprint in the works
The PBA is finalizing a blueprint for its inaugural 3x3 season with the first conference likely to be in a bubble on March 19-April 5, the second in June and the third in September as tournament director Eric Altamirano prepares a timetable and budget for submission to the Board of Governors in the next meeting on Feb. 26 or even earlier in a special session if necessary......»»
Altamirano glad to run PBA 3x3
Eric Altamirano is relishing the opportunity to play a key role in the PBA’s grand plans for 3x3 basketball with the ultimate goal of qualifying Pinoy ballers to the Olympics......»»
Ronnie Magsanoc, 1986 UP Maroons to reminisce sole championship run
Led by then-UP stars Ronnie Magsanoc, and Eric Altamirano, the Fighting Maroons of 1986 will revisit and talk about their run to the summit of UAAP men's basketball......»»
No ill will between Gomez de Liano, Lalata after Chooks-to-Go 3x3 injury incident
Lalata expressed his apologies to Gomez de Liano, with league commissioner Eric Altamirano also present in their meeting......»»
Test run of Chooks PH 3×3 gets OK from GAB chief
Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Baham Mitra was impressed with how Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 held its test run on Monday for the resumption of its tournament. For the first time, the league, led by owner Ronald Mascariñas and commissioner Eric Altamirano, was able to show GAB the entire process of its return […].....»»
Adamson s player development is priceless gift for coach Franz
Last year, Adamson University fell short of the Final Four for the first time under coach Franz Pumaren. Still, the multi-titled mentor's stint in San Marcelino remains a triumph as he had led them to three playoff berths in a row in his first three seasons there. Also, the Soaring Falcons had claimed their first-ever second-seed and twice-to-beat advantage under coach Franz. Even more than his overall 31-25 record, though, Pumaren is proudest about how they have discovered and then developed their players. "First of all, for me, my definition of college coach is you know how to develop players, you know how to bring the best out of the player," he shared to fellow coaches Charles Tiu, Paolo Layug, and Anton Altamirano in his appearance on Coaches Unfiltered. The brilliant tactician then went on to point out how Jerrick Ahanmisi, Adamson's longtime top gun, was actually a reject, in essence, of other schools and squads. "He tried out for several schools, but they didn't get him probably because he was not ready to play college here," he said. "Yung iba, they want yung ready na. But with Jerrick, when we saw him, he's still a project, but when he started practicing with us, we were able to develop him. The rest is history." The rest, indeed, is history as the 6-foot-1 sharpshooter has one Mythical selection as well as a whole lot of scoring outbursts to his name. Now, he enters his fifth and final year as, still, one of the best guards in all of college. "These are the priceless gifts they can give me," Coach Franz said. "We were able to recruit players who were maybe under the radar, players who weren't highly recruited, but we were able to develop them." After Ahanmisi, you need not look far to find another one of the Soaring Falcons' proud products of player development. "Who would recognize Jerom Lastimosa?" Pumaren mused, talking about their starting and rising point guard hailing from Dumaguete. He then continued, "He came from the province, a small school, but now, probably I can consider him in the top three, top four point guards this coming UAAP." With that, for next year, Adamson has a brand new project in its hands - a brand new project coming from uncharted territory for them. "We were able to get a player from Ateneo, the captain ball. Joaquin Jaymalin, 6-2 and I'm expecting him to grow an inch or two," their shot-caller said. He then continued, "He's been under the radar, but one thing's for sure, he can shoot. I think he's a welcome addition on our part and I'm confident we can develop him to be a better all-around player." --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
TY Tang didn t quit because Coach Franz didn t let him
TY Tang was a big piece in the puzzle that was coach Franz Pumaren’s last championship for De La Salle University. Together with Jvee Casio and Cholo Villanueva, Tang steered the Green Archets to a pleasant surprise of a title in 2007. As a graduating guard, the pint-sized playmaker was as much a streaky shooter as much as he was a steady playmaker. He then rode that last year all the way to the 12th overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft and a solid eight-year career, all with Rain or Shine. As it turns out, though, Tang was all ready to give up his basketball dream after he did not have the strongest of starts as La Salle’s point guard. “What strikes me as yung talagang feeling niya he was ready to give up was TY Tang,” Coach Franz shared with fellow coaches Charles Tiu, Paolo Layug, and Anton Altamirano in his appearance on Coaches Unfiltered. He then continued, “We should remember he was playing behind legendary Mike Cortez so every time I pull out Mike, you could just imagine the pressure. A fresh (out of) high school kid and when he makes a mistake, fans can be brutal.” The 5-foot-7 guard was a blue-chip recruit from powerhouse Xavier High School, but of course, following “The Cool Cat” for the championship contender Green Archers was a thankless job. “We sat down, we had a heart-to-heart talk and I told him he can always turn back and just get a degree,” the multi-titled mentor narrated. “But there’s this opportunity also for you to at least prove yourself that you deserve to be in the UAAP.” Answering his mentor’s call, Tang went on to mature and live up to the legacy of Cortez. He was even named by Paul Lee, who played for University of the East during the same timeframe, in his Prospects Five. In the end, TY Tang is an excellent example of the difference a coach with full faith could make. “He’s not that tall and when he started, hindi naman ganun kagaling shumoot, pero nagtrabaho, nagtiwala lang,” Coach Franz said. He then continued, “‘Di ba? Who would ever think TY will make it to the PBA?” —— Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
UAAP 81: When the sleeping giant named UP finally awakened
No cheering - that's the cardinal rule for sportswriters during coverages. In collegiate sports, not even your very own alma mater song is spared. Still, on November 28, 2018, I thought this one time could be an exception to the rule. After all, more than half of the Araneta Coliseum had their hands raised in singing "UP Naming Mahal." Certainly, not one more fist in the air could be considered conspicuous. After all, the University of the Philippines Men's Basketball Team was letting it all out right there on the court. Certainly, not one more show of emotion could be out of place. And after all, the Fighting Maroons had just done it. It, being seeing a new dawn after the so-called dark days. FROM FIGHTING TO WINNING UAAP 81 started very much like how many, many UP seasons did in recent memory. There was a lot of hope, no doubt, what with Paul Desiderio in his last year, Bright Akhuetie in his first year, Gomez de Liano brothers Juan and Javi being back for more, and Bo Perasol still at the helm. Only, being a fan of the Fighting Maroons also meant you know full well all of it couldn't be true. History is a lesson to be learned - and from the promise of Migs De Asis, Mike Gamboa, Martin Reyes, and great Filipino-American hope Mike Silungan and the potential of Mikee Reyes, Woody Co, and Kyles Lao, Diliman has learned many, many lessons, indeed. And then, the season started. A season-opening win became a 1-3 standing. A 3-3 record worsened to 3-5. Standing at an even 5-5 in the stretch run then led to winning three of the last four games in the elimination round. And before you knew it, UP, yes, UP was knocking on the door of the Final Four. Could this be it? Or could this be just the biggest disappointment the Fighting Maroons had ever served? FROM WINNING TO LOSING A winning tradition could be taken for granted. Coming from a school down south that was, is, and forever linked to a particular powerhouse, I, personally, was very much used to winning. Even more, I was right there when Joshua (or Dave, as we called him) Webb, Jeric Fortuna, and Jed Manguera led the team formerly known as the Bengals to a breakthrough championship. So, yeah, personally, my tradition was to root for a winning team - be it in the Jrs. or in the Srs. Come college, though, I traded in the shield of green and white for the luntian at pulang sagisag magpakailanman. And hey, UP Diliman is and always will be the best school in the history of man, in my eyes. In terms of basketball, though, it left much to be desired. As I was about to go to college, the Fighting Maroons went winless in back-to-back years. And then, they had three-win seasons when I was a freshie and a sophomore. In all my four years in college, I only experienced eight wins out of 56. So yeah, in State U, there was the exact opposite of a winning tradition. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't get me wrong here. UP is a power in many, many sports and is a contender for the general championship year in and year out. Back then, though, forgive me if I only had eyes for men's basketball.) FROM JETT TO PAUL And then, a ray of light shone bright, and brighter, and brighter. I have now grown to love Mikee Reyes - he is a great guy and a good analyst. Back then, though, he was a prime proof of what wasn't working in UP. Here was a talent who had a shot at making a name for himself and taking his team along with him for the ride, but unfortunately, just could not put it all together. Reyes was just one of many, many promising players in maroon and green who didn't have the sort of support that a winning tradition entailed. True to their name, though, the Fighting Maroons kept, well, fighting. And in his last year, Jett Manuel proved that the tides could turn in their favor. Manuel would never be the best player on De La Salle University or Ateneo de Manila University or even University of Sto. Tomas and Far Eastern University. Still, he gave his all game in and game out and grew to be a beloved player and leader in Diliman. He set the standard for the kind of fight a Maroon should have and in his last year, steered his squad to a fifth-place finish at 5-9. Not a finish to be proud of by any means, but for the first time in a long time, there were signs of life coming from State U. And that's when I knew Jett Manuel would be my forever King Maroon. However, just two years later, Paul Desiderio made me question that. FROM THEN TO NOW Definitely, Paul Desiderio is not Jett Manuel. Jett is eloquent and looks like he came from an exclusive private school, which he did. Paul speaks in short but sweet terms and is very much proud of his roots in Cebu. What they both have, though, is an undeniable love for UP and an unwavering determination to lead the Fighting Maroons to where they belong. When Manuel left, of course, the reins went to Desiderio and in his very first game as main man, he proved his worth. I know you know what I'm going to talk about - because this was the time he uttered the words that would define State U from that point onto the foreseeable future. "Atin to, papasok to!" -- Paul Desiderio during the timeout. Moments later...#UAAPSeason80 pic.twitter.com/7yafSpldJM — ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) September 10, 2017 The maroon and green yet again fell short of the Final Four that year, but come next season, a playoff berth was, indeed, theirs for the taking. Downing La Salle in the very last game of the elims, they booked a trip to the next round for the first time since 1997. That would have been more than enough for their long-suffering faithful, but they did themselves one better - actually, two better - and upset second-seed and twice-to-beat Adamson University. Just like that, UP would be playing in its first Finals since the days of Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, Eric Altamirano, and Joe Lipa. That day, November 28, 2018, would always live on with me. FROM ME TO YOU As bad as I wanted to break the cardinal rule for sportswriters, I didn't. As bad as I wanted to stay on the floor to listen and live in the chorus singing in harmony, "Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan," I couldn't. When UP made history, I had to go back to the press room and finish my full take on the game. Just minutes before, I honestly couldn't believe the breaking report I was working on in my phone and uploading in our website. Really? The Fighting Maroons had done it. Even with the final stat sheet in my hands, I still couldn't believe it. Really? The Fighting Maroons had done it. Even through writing "those back-to-back wins have set up for them a date with defending champion Ateneo de Manila University in the best-of-three Finals slated for Saturday at the MOA Arena," I still couldn't believe it. Really? The Fighting Maroons had done it. Of course, in the very end, Ateneo was Ateneo and State U had to settle for second-place. Still, there may not be another silver medal that was worth celebrating more. You have to understand that again, this is a team not that far off from its dark days - so, yeah, this silver season was a special season. And so, at the very end of Season 81, when I saw Paul standing on the game officials' table, basking in the UP community's cries of "De-si-de-rio" and "A-tin-to," another chant was playing in my head - "You deserve it." This image, would always live on with me. At the same time, though, I was a firsthand witness to another image that told me this was just the beginning. First Finals appearance, first Finals loss. Fo sho, GDL brothers @javigdl22 and @juan_swish9 will only be better from this. #UAAPSeason81 pic.twitter.com/CMV0JH30rh — No Work Normie Riego (@riegogogo) December 5, 2018 Juan and Javi GDL sat on the makeshift awarding stage while the Blue Eagles were enjoying their back-to-back championships and Desiderio was being serenaded by the Fighting Maroons' faithful. Their eyes were welling up with tears, but deep down there, you could also see their determination to be back, to be better, and to say themselves "Atin 'to" to a championship. FROM HERE ON OUT UAAP 81 was Ateneo's, no doubt about that. UAAP 82, when UP was supposedly stronger, was still Ateneo's, yet again no doubt about that. Actually, the Fighting Maroons were even owned by runner-up UST that year - and those Growling Tigers had a Cinderella tale to tell of their own. And yet, for my money, no team in recent memory has won over everybody quite like Paul Desiderio's UP Fighting Maroons. Maybe, just maybe, that's all because I'm an Isko with student no. 2008-6*1*5. Or maybe, just maybe, it's so good to see a sleeping giant awakened - now knowledgeable of how to build a team and now knowledgeable how to put up support for that team. Or maybe, just maybe, it's so good to see homegrown stars like Diego Dario and the GDLs stay home and play home and to see a foreign student-athlete like Akhuetie shine bright both as a student and as an athlete. Or maybe, just maybe, it's so good to put your full faith in somebody like Desiderio who truly, madly, and deeply believed "Atin 'to" - even though recent history said otherwise. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo. Norman Lee Benjamin Riego has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2014. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
UAAP 77 Finals MVP Aroga on Coach E: He s my Phil Jackson
In 2014, Eric Altamirano guided National University to its first championship in 60 years. It may be just one title in his six-season stint there, but for a blue and gold side which has long been suffering, it was an all-important one. And so, coach Eric will remain a beloved figure in Sampaloc for all his life. Apparently, he also remains a beloved figure in Dallas in the US - at least in the house where Alfred Aroga now resides in. Reminiscing about the Bulldogs' historic championship in The Prospects Pod, that year's Finals MVP was asked about what Altamirano means to him. "Coach E, as I've always said, he's my Phil Jackson," he answered. Jackson was the coach for the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls' six championships, the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers' three-peat, and, finally, the Kobe-led LA Lakers' back-to-back. In terms of rings, Coach Phil has Coach E beat, without a doubt. In terms of life lessons, though, "The Zen Master" is apparently not that far from the always amiable Filipino mentor. "I will call his house 'The Promised Land' because there are a lot of players that went in that house and look where they are today," Aroda said. "In his house, he didn't care where you came from, if you're black, green, yellow, blue. He didn't care about it. As long as you're in his house, there are rules to follow and those rules help you be a better person." Transferring from Cameroon to Manila, the 6-foot-7 big man stayed in the Altamirano household for all of his time in blue and gold. There, he learned all about discipline - something he had formerly failed to grasp. "There's a curfew, first of all. Then there are things you can't do - you can't drink, you don't smoke, you don't womanize, you go to Church, you got to be respectful," he shared. He then continued, "His family really embraced me and I needed that because I remember when I first went to the Philippines, I was like a wild animal, I was so aggressive, I didn't know how to respond to adversities so he had to coach me on that." For all of that, Aroga is nothing but thankful. "Coach E is always there for me. Coach, I would never repay you for everything you did for me so the only thing I can do is be successful and be grateful that I had you," he said. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Chooks-to-Go 3x3 to observe strict protocol in bubble
Strict health protocols will be practiced and observed once the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 gets the green light to practice, and eventually, hold its actual tournament. This was assured by league commissioner Eric Altamirano on Tuesday during his appearance in the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. Altamirano, who was joined by player Alvin Pasaol, said the league is taking all the necessary steps and precautions to assure the safety and welfare of players, officials, and staff from contracting the COVID-19. “We’re ensuring that we will cover everything from testing to contact tracing,” said Altamirano. All involved personnel will be required to undergo swab testing (PCR-testing) especially those who are going to enter the 3x3 bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna once competition in the newly-turned pro league gets going hopefully, by September. Practices among 12 participating teams are supposed to start within the month, but had to be pushed a little back when the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjacent provinces including Laguna, reverted back to a Modified Enhance Community Quarantine (MECQ) status. “Right after ma-lift ‘yang MECQ, we will resume our testing and training,” Altamirano said. The league official added he has been in close consultation with Dr. Tony Leachon, the former special adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19, and other health experts about the protocols the league will have to observe before and during the tournament. The league is on the lookout for a centralized training facility where all teams would be able to workout under strict monitoring. “Pag isang venue lang ang pagpa-practisan, now we can have contact tracing, we can ensure the safety of the facility in terms of cleaning and disinfecting. May scheduled protocol when it comes to that. For every practice, may cleaning gap bago (mag-practice) yung next group,” he explained in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and powered by Smart with Upstream Media as webcast partner. In the league’s bubble, meanwhile, protocol is even stricter. A single person who just showed even a single symptom of the virus will be immediately isolated. A maximum of around 150 persons to be inside the Inspire Sports Academy in the entire duration of the meet......»»
No competition with PBA – Altamirano
By JONAS TERRADO Rather than treating it as competition, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 said the PBA’s own version of the half-court basketball league is a welcome addition. “When we started the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 last year, the main objective of the program is to create awareness and to popularize the sport, so […].....»»
Jeron Teng s 104-point high school game? He only made one 3-pointer
Jeron Teng's early introduction to mainstream Philippine basketball came in 2011. As a high school star for Xavier, Jeron scored a cool 104 points in a 164-74 victory over Grace Christian College in the Tiong Lian Tournament. Teng's 104 points were done the hard way too. He only made one three-point shot during the whole game. "Noong high school, di ako nag-three points, more of drive talaga," Jeron said during an appearance on 2OT. "Pagka-rebound, more of court-to-court na," he added. Jeron's full stat line for Xavier during that 2011 game was 104 points on 37/70 from the field and just 1/5 from deep. Teng likewise had 24 rebounds and six steals in 35 and a half minutes of play. He also went to the line to shoot 34 free throws, making 29 of them. At the time, Teng said his confidence was sky high after a stint with the RP Youth Team under coach Eric Altamirano. "Malaking factor din kasi, that year I came from playing in the national team," he said. "Mataas yung morale ko, mataas confidence ko. Pagbalik ko sa Xavier, parang one level higher na ako against sa competition," Jeron added. Jeron's 104-point game in 2011 made him a high-class recuit in college. He eventually went to La Salle and won Rooke of the Year in 2012. By his second season, he led the Green Archers to the UAAP championship. Jeron added another UAAP title in his final year at Taft, which then boosted his stock in the PBA Draft where he was selected fifth in 2017 by the Alaska Aces. "That day was really special," Jeron said. "I just felt everything was going my way that time, all my shots were going in," he added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Chooks 3x3 pro hoops league eyes September bubble
Altamirano said everyone, players, coaches, referees and staff alike, will be submitted into a battery of COVID-19 tests before they will be allowed to enter the bubble where they would have to follow stringent guidelines......»»
Chooks 3x3 goes pro; set to start new season inside bubble
The new season of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 will be its first as a professional league. Last Tuesday, the Philippines' pioneering 3x3 league was granted professional status by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB). "In the board meeting of GAB, we have received and accepted the request of Chooks 3x3 to turn professional," chairman Abraham Mitra said in the online press conference announcing the development on Wednesday. This means that Chooks 3x3 has given yet another reason for basketball players to consider a route running parallel to traditional 5-on-5. "This will provide our players the opportunity to explore possibilities of a professional career in 3x3. I really believe that we Filipinos have a very strong chance at excelling in this sport," league commissioner Eric Altamirano said. The development is nothing but welcome for Chooks 3x3 league officials, especially owner and founder Ronald Mascarinas who has long stood behind the upstart sport. "This will help strengthen our drive in becoming a dominant force in 3x3 all over the world," Altamirano said. At present, the Philippines has risen to 22nd in the world and fourth in Asia in the FIBA rankings, with much thanks to Chooks 3x3's first two seasons as well as Chooks-to-Go's support of Philippine teams playing in international tournaments. Altamirano has no doubt that would only continue now that the league will operate as a professional entity come its new season penciled in for September to February. For that, Chooks 3x3 would be borrowing the NBA's bubble concept - holding all its games and practices in a facility in Calamba, Laguna. There, the league would take all the necessary steps for its players, staff, and everybody else involved to be safe and secure. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
National U s historic championship was an Altamirano family affair
National University's 60-year title drought came to a close in 2014. And according to head coach Eric Altamirano, it was already predetermined even before the season started. "Ang totoo nyan, nung offseason nun, puro kami talo, hindi talaga kami nananalo sa mga liga. One day, kasama ko si Luigi, kinukwento ko sa kanya na nag-struggle nga ang team," he shared in The Prospects Pod, referring to his second son. He then continued, "Pero sabi ni Luigi, 'Dad magcha-champion tayo ngayon.' As I look back now, I remember that day na sinabi nga ni Luigi yun and nagkatotoo nga." At the end of UAAP 77, Luigi proved prophetic, witnessing his dad guide the Bulldogs to a long-awaited and much-desired title. Of course, the dominant defense, the difference-making presence of Alfred Aroga, and the total team effort of the blue and gold contributed to that. At the same time, very much key was the all-out support of coach Eric's wife, children, and entire household. "Tinuring nila kami na parang sarili nilang mga anak," pesky guard Pao Javelona shared. "Sobrang grateful ko kanila tita Marissa pati sa wives ng iba pang coaches kasi iba yung turing nila sa amin. Sobrang laking bagay ng mga Altamirano sa amin." In the brilliant tactician's six-season stint in Sampaloc, wife Marissa, sons Anton and Luigi, daughter Aby, and several other members of the household were fixtures behind the scenes. While coach Eric was, well, coaching, the other Altamiranos were also right there as much-welcome helping hands - on or off the court. "Ako, tumira ako sa bahay nila, parang anak na talaga ang turing nila sa akin kasi sa iisang bubong lang kami nakatira," now-Gilas Pilipinas forward Troy Rosario said. "Pagpupunta kami ng practice, si coach Eric na nga gumigising sa akin. Si tita Marissa, lahat ng mga kailangan, kumpleto." Indeed, in the same way that coach Eric changed the culture of basketball in National U, so did he and his family change the lives of his players. "Siguro, nung first three years ko sa NU, sobrang pasaway ako sa kanya. Talagang hindi ako sumusunod kasi may sarili akong mundo nun na parang sobrang bilib siguro ako sa sarili ko," versatile wing Glenn Khobuntin said. He then continued, "Pero kung pinabayaan lang niya ako nun, hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa life ko. Nadiretso buhay ko nung palagi pa rin niya akong kinakausap after practice." Now, Khobuntin has the Altamiranos as the template for what he wants his own family to become. "When I had my own family na, doon ko na-realize kung bakit niya ginagawa yun. Parang gusto ko ngang magmura kapag naiisip ko e," he said. He then continued, "Grabe. Sobrang thankful akong nakilala ko sila kasi hindi lang sa basketball yung impact nila sa akin e. Kung paano i-handle ni coach E yung family niya, ganun din gusto ko." In the end, the team captain of the Bulldogs' UAAP 77 champion team could do nothing but express how much he loved his mentor. "I love you, coach," Khobuntin said. "Thank you." Without a doubt, his teammates only share the same sentiments. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo. .....»»
Chooks-to-Go eyes 3x3 hoops bubble
“The target is September and we will hold our games inside “Inspire” Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna,” said league commissioner Eric Altamirano on Saturday. “Right now, if the IATF will give us a go-signal, we will start with individual practices only.”.....»»
Even courtside reporter Tricia Robredo lived NU s no regrets mentality in UAAP 77
National University had to take the rougher road to reach the mountaintop in UAAP 77. First, the Bulldogs had to come out on top of Roi Sumang's University of the East for the fourth-seed. Next, they had to come through against top-seeded and twice-to-beat Ateneo de Manila University with Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal showing the way. Finally, they had to claim the crown at the expense of Mac Belo and Mike Tolomia-led Far Eastern University in three games, having lost the Finals opener. In the end, though, at long last, Jhocson Street was to be the venue of a championship celebration anew. National U won it all because it played every game like it was its last - and, well, many of those matchups could, indeed, have been its last. That's exactly why in each and every game in that Cinderella run, they made sure to leave their all on the floor. "Ang battle cry namin nun was 'no regrets' kasi talagang ang dami naming knockout nun so nilagay namin sa board yun," head coach Eric Altamirano said in last week's The Prospects Pod. He then continued, "We put it there, 'no regrets.' Ano man ang abutin namin, okay lang as long as binigay namin lahat. Every game, that's what we reminded each other." Apparently, that mentality wasn't for coaches and players alone. In fact, long before that Cinderella run, one person in the Bulldogs' camp was already having no regrets. "Before the season, when ABS-CBN called me for my second and last, I was tentative pa kung babalik pa talaga ako kasi I was already in med school," courtside reporter Tricia Robredo shared in her surprise appearance in the same episode. "Pero yun nga, like sabi ni Coach E, mare-regret ko yun kung hindi ako bumalik." Robredo was coming off her rookie year as CSR, but was already done with her premed course by then. Meaning, med school proper was already awaiting her. Years later, though, the 26-year-old now studying for the board exams has no regrets about her decision. "Lalo na nga nag-champion pa sila. Sobrang saya nila, very light ang atmosphere that season. Not only light, pero kahit hindi sila kina-count na isa sa mananalo, sobrang tatapang nila," she shared. She then continued, "Kaya towards the end of the season, alam mong may chance kasi go lang sila. Sobrang inspiring to be in their presence kaya masaya naman akong naging part ako nun kunwari kahit 'di naman ako naglaro." And for the UAAP 77 champions, they would not have wanted another CSR to be standing alongside them as they made history. As Coach E put it, "Well, sa akin, personally talaga, when you talk about NU Season 77, hindi mawawala si Trish." --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»