Baculi’s roots

When I was in Tuguegarao last month, I asked City Administrator Mike Lim if he knew newly-appointed Olongapo Volunteers coach Edmundo (Junel) Baculi’s parents.

Of course, Mike replied. I should’ve guessed. Mike’s probably the most popular guy in town. He’s a native Cagayano. He knows everybody and everybody knows him. Mike, 45, served as a civil relations officer in the Armed Forces, is a CPA, studied law, taught accounting in school, still plays hoops – sometimes with teenagers at the downtown People’s Gym, owns an accounting firm, and helps out Mayor Randy Ting in making Tuguegarao a better place to live in.

Mike had put me in touch with Romel Adducul’s family in barangay Cataggaman and Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) provincial chairman Ben Cue, Jr. Contacting Junel’s parents was a piece of cake for him. Especially since Junel’s father Edmundo, Sr. was once Mike’s law professor.

One night, Mike and his wife Belen drove us to the Baculi residence in a subdivision in the city outskirts.

Dr. Lilia Berbano Baculi, 72, came out to greet us. She led me to a loft above the living room where her husband sat in a wheelchair, fronting a TV set. Edmundo, Sr. is now 75. A severe case of arthritis has hampered his mobility. But his mind is hyperactive. He loves watching basketball on TV. And he says the first thing he does in picking up The STAR every morning is to scan the sports section to check if there’s an item on his son then he reads this column.

A few years ago, Junel’s father wrote me a letter reacting to a piece I had written in The STAR. That’s why I thought of visiting him – to say thanks for taking the trouble of writing and to pay my respects.

As I spoke to Junel’s parents, I realized how blessed he is. And I also realized why Junel is such an achiever. His parents are accomplished professionals – intelligent, respectable, and God-fearing. A San Beda law graduate, his father passed the bar with the late Ramon Mitra in 1953. He played for the Cagayan high school basketball selection which lost to Baguio in the finals of the 1948 national championships. So basketball runs in the family.

Junel’s mother, an aunt of newspaperman Teddy Berbano, is a retired doctor of medicine and a big basketball fan. She doesn’t recall missing a game where Junel played or coached.

Junel, 36, is the youngest of three children and the only boy. His sisters Monique and Jane live in the US. He was born and raised in Quezon City where his parents lived until 1988 when they went back to Tuguegarao. Upon returning home, Junel’s father was elected to public office and became the president of the National Association of Provincial Board Members.

A scrappy guard, Junel played for the La Salle high school varsity with Joseph Uichico, Tonichi Pujante and Che Cristobal then saw action in a season for the Archers under coach Joaqui Trillo. He later transferred to Mapua where he teamed with Bong Ramos and Leo Isaac under Charlie Badion as the Cardinals won the NCAA crown in 1981. In the commercial leagues, Junel suited up for the Rizal Athletic Club, Colefields, and RFM which he eventually coached.

In 1990, coach Ed Ocampo asked Junel to try out for Pepsi in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). But he decided to work in Brunei instead as a civil engineer for two years.

Back in Manila, Junel began coaching in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). He captured back-to-back Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Champions Cup titles in 1995 and 1996. Junel had a brief two-month stint as the Negros Slashers coach in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) in 1998 then he returned to the PBL where he steered Welcoat to four crowns. After Welcoat disbanded, Junel was recruited by Tourism Secretary Dick Gordon to call the shots for the Volunteers who are making their MBA debut this year.

"Junel’s a good son," said his father. "He’s independent-minded. We’re very proud of him and his achievements." He added that the reason why his son is a successful coach is because he preaches defense.

"Junel’s usually calm except when he’s arguing with the referees," chuckled his father. "His mother always reminds him to keep cool. When he’s coaching, we get a little nervous. He called us up recently and wants us to stay with him in Manila. He doesn’t want us to live by ourselves in Tuguegarao because he wants to watch over us."

It was a month ago when I visited Junel’s parents in Tuguegarao. Two weeks later, they moved into Junel’s home in Quezon City.

Junel, who was the PBL Press Corps’ choice as Best Coach two seasons back, has assembled an all-star cast for Olongapo. His mainstays include Jeffrey Flowers, John-John Cardel, Brix Encarnacion, Allen Patrimonio, Topex Robinson, Eugene Tan, Henry Fernandez, Joel Dualan, and local boy Bob Allen.

Last Tuesday, Junel coached the Volunteers to a 10-point win over Pampanga in an exhibition game at the San Juan gym.

Junel’s father said he hopes someday, his son will coach in the PBA. That’s his dream.

As for Junel, the only thing on his mind is to whip up a winning squad in the MBA which opens its fifth season on April 6. That’s his promise to Olongapo, his family, and his parents.