Viva learns lesson, earns title

The jolly, festive atmosphere in one popular bistro along Katipunan Extension Saturday night told it all: Viva-FEU has finally won its first PBL title.

From management to the coaching staff and the players down to the utility men, the Water Force, with their families and avid followers, celebrated for hours after clinching the PBL Unity Cup over Welcoat Paint Masters at the Pasig Sports Center.

According to coach Koy Banal, his team’s painful experience against Hapee Toothpaste in the same conference last year was enough to inspire his players to strive harder and do better this time.

In the end, they were all amply rewarded.

"When we won Game 3 for a 2-1 lead, I reminded the boys that this was the same position we’ve been through last year," Banal told mediamen amid all the noise at the party venue.

Viva, he said, learned so much from its experience last season when it raced a 2-1 lead against Hapee Toothpaste only to lose the championship in a dramatic fifth game showdown.

"So I told them to just think deeply of that experience, learn from it and think positive thoughts and they responded by winning this one," added Banal.

Indeed, the Water Force grew up with that experience. And it showed at how they outgunned, outplayed and outlasted the Paint Masters mostly in the crucial stretches of the series.

For Banal, defense did the trick.

"We wouldn’t have done it without the effort of the whole team particularly in defense," said Banal.

"Our defense took Welcoat out of their comfort zone particularly their top two gunners," he added, referring to Welcoat’s prolific duo of Chester Tolomia and Jojo Tangkay.

Also seen at the party were Viva general manager Rey Villena, team manager Peter Martin, FEU team manager Anton Montinola, newly-appointed FEU athletic director Mark Molina and Coca-Cola manager Hector Calma.

Joel Co, team skipper and senior statesman, for his part, said one reason that contributed to Viva’s success was the humility that all of his teammates possess.

"Sa team na ito wala talagang superstar kaya malaking bagay iyon kung bakit nandito kami sa pinag-kakalagyan namin ngayon," said Co.

But while it was indeed a collective effort, the troika of Arwind Santos, Warren Ybanez and Cesar Catli stood the tallest among the Water Force.

Santos, the conference MVP, for one, has opted to play decoy in offense although he made nine crucial triples during the series. While he pulled his punches in offense, he delivered in defense.

The smallest player on the court, Ybañez, dished out the biggest plays like in Game 3 when he scored three clutch free throws and stole the ball twice to power Viva to a 66-64 squeaker.

Equally menacing was Catli, who torched the Paint Masters with his lethal outside shooting. His most unforgettable moment came in the deciding Game 4 where he sizzled with 13 points, nine of them coming from behind the arc.

For Co, Ybañez, rookie Neil Raneses, Jason Misolas, JV Sison, co-captain Gerard Jones and Catli, they’ll cherish the victory for a little over five months before the PBL resumes in November.

But for others–Santos, Dennis Miranda, Mark Isip, Don Yabut, RJ Rizada, Joebim Garcia and Francis Barcellano–it’s back to work starting today as they prepare for the 67th UAAP season where FEU is the defending champion.

"Sige lang, let’s enjoy and celebrate tonight because we deserve it," Banal said. "Pero sa Monday, balik practice tayo dahil UAAP naman ang paghahandaan natin."