Remembering Ed Ocampo

Ateneo diehard, York University candidate for a master’s degree in business, beauty salon proprietor, broadcaster, sports management guru and Coca-Cola basketball team coach Chot Reyes shared something interesting about the Blue Eagles’ 77-70 win over La Salle to clinch the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s seniors basketball title at the Big Dome last Saturday.

Chot said on that same date–Oct. 5–in 1958, Ateneo defeated La Salle for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s seniors cage crown. Eagles crack guard Ed Ocampo starred in that historic victory on his birthday.

How appropriate that after a 14-year title drought, Ateneo finally broke the jinx on the late Ocampo’s birthday. Ed had to be grinning from ear to ear in heaven.

It was fate that brought Ateneo back to the throne because there could be no logical explanation for the Eagles’ triumph. Think of it. Before the season started, two mainstays–Paolo Bugia and Magnum Membrere–were scratched off the roster due to injuries. Then, during the campaign, point guard LA Tenorio suffered a finger bone fracture and sat out a handful of games. In the eliminations, Ateneo looked shaky after losing three in a row and barely made it to the Final Four where the Eagles overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage to eliminate powerhouse University of the East. And the night before Saturday’s showdown, Larry Fonacier was hospitalized for food poisoning.

Despite the ominous signs, the Eagles defied the odds. They were destined to win.

Chot paid tribute to Ateneo’s debuting coach Joel Banal for keeping the faith and the players for getting the job done. Banal accomplished what a slew of predecessors–including Perry Ronquillo and Joe Lipa–couldn’t.

In Game 3 of the finals, Chot said the key was neutralizing Archer standout Mike Cortez. "Joel knew with the title on the line, Cortez would try to take charge," explained Chot. "Obviously, the plan was to force Cortez to his left because he’s so strong going to his right. The guards put pressure on him outside and if Cortez slipped out to penetrate, the big guys like Rico (Villanueva) waited for him inside. With about five minutes to go, Joel put Rich (Alvarez) on Cortez and that did it."

Hounded by Alvarez, Cortez was blanked down the stretch and didn’t score any of La Salle’s last 10 points. He finished with 13 on 2-of-13 from the field and 8-of-10 from the line.

Chot recalled that in coaching Purefoods to a 4-1 series victory over Alaska in the 1994 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Finals, he used a similar tactic of putting a big man on the opposing point guard. Chot said in the title clincher, he alternated Olsen Racela and Richie Ticzon on Alaska’s Johnny Abarrientos at the start then down the stretch, put Rey Evangelista on the Flying A. That adjustment broke Alaska’s back. Banal, incidentally, was on the other side of the fence that year. He was an assistant in Alaska coach Tim Cone’s staff.

Banal, 44, was Cone’s chief lieutenant when Alaska won six PBA titles.

In five years and took the Pasig-Rizal Pirates to five straight semifinals in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA)–the only coach to accomplish the feat. A six-year PBA player who retired in 1986, Banal also steered his alma mater Mapua to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1990-91. He began coaching in 1988.

This year, Banal coached Ateneo, sponsored by Hapee and Negros

Navigation, to victory in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

Banal’s hoop credentials are solid. He’s learned the ropes from some of the game’s best thinkers, including Ron Jacobs, Baby Dalupan, and Cone. Banal played for the national team under Jacobs in 1980. He’s the only person who’s played and coached at the collegiate, amateur, international and pro levels.

There is talk that if Bill Bayno walks out of his Talk ‘N Text contract, Banal will take over the Phone Pals’ reins.

At Mass last Sunday, several priests couldn’t resist talking about the Ateneo-La Salle game in their homilies. Father Stein said he’ll pray that La Salle fans recover from their grief after 14 years. He spoke at the Santa Maria de la Strada church in La Vista, a stone’s throw away from the Loyola campus. Father Rolly Agustin noted the low turnout in Saturday’s anticipated 5:30 p.m. Mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel in Hillsborough, Alabang and said it had to be because of the UAAP title contest.

In the wake of Ateneo’s victory, text messages continued to bombard cellphones. The UAAP fever isn’t going away easily.

From a La Salle student (text message unedited): "A true Archer knows how to put down his arrow when he sees a young Eagle determined to fly. He is humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Animo La Salle."

From an Ateneo fan (text message unedited): "Pulis report–A group of fat boys n green wer arrestd at 4 a.m. last Sunday wen dey got lost n kept shoutng ‘WERE No. 1.’"

From a La Salle mom (text message unedited): "UAAP shd strip Enrico Villanueva f MVP title 4 wt he did to Sta Maria w/c caused Sta M to vomit. Very un-MVP like. Unless MVP means Most Violent Player."

Rep. Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City flew in from Busan last Wednesday to catch up on Congress work and of course, to watch Saturday’s duel.

"It was one of those games where you watched standing up from start to finish," said Puentevella who stood beside Robert Aventajado throughout the gripping contest. "There were people who made surprise appearances, people sitting on Senators’ Row, meaning those who wanted to be seen on camera because they’re probably running for senator in the next elections."

Puentevella, a La Salle alumnus whose brother-in-law Bro. Rolly Dizon is the school’s system president, went to the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) studios the day after on an invitation to guest in the coverage of the 14th Asian Games. He thought of wearing black but decided to wear a white sportscoat instead. "Black is for a funeral," said Puentevella. "White is for resurrection."

No doubt, Ateneo deserved to win. The Eagles stepped up when they had to. They didn’t blink under pressure. When Tenorio fouled out and limped off with cramps, Chris Quimpo checked in to hit a triple in the late going. Jek Chia, as usual, played his guts out. Wesley Gonzalez more than made up for his absence last year. Fonacier delivered in the clutch. Of course, Villanueva and Alvarez flew the highest of them all.

And on the bench sat a star of the future, Banal’s nephew Conrad, Jr. whose father, the respected Inquirer business columnist, once starred for the Eagles.