Another chapter of the fabled Ateneo-La Salle rivalry unfolds when Blue Eaglets UAAP high school champion coach Joe Silva faces Zobel Junior Archers tactician Gian Nazario in the second annual SLAM Rising Stars Classic next Sunday, March 29, with a 7 p.m. tip-off at the Gatorade Hoops Center on Shaw Boulevard.
Silva will call the shots for Team Hype while Nazario will pilot Team Punks. The country’s top 24 prep stars are gathering to wage war in the final high school appearance of 19 graduating seniors. No tickets will be sold for the game, according to RSA-Titan Management president Rely San Agustin whose outfit is organizing the event. Limited seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The game will be aired live and exclusive on Fox Sports Asia.
San Agustin said he expects a huge crowd, particularly as collegiate scouts and coaches will want to take a last look at possible recruits. He said only nine of the 19 graduates are committed to enroll in different colleges and universities. With five of the 24 returning for their senior year of high school, 10 players are still available for pickings.
The nine committed prepsters are twins Mike and Matt Nieto who are staying at Ateneo, San Beda’s Niko Abatayo and Chiang Kai Shek’s JV Gallego who are moving to National University, Darius Estrella who remains at Jose Rizal, Hope Christian’s Jollo Go, San Beda’s Andrei Caracut and San Sebastian’s Renzo Navarro who are transferring to La Salle and JBoy Gob who is relocating from Greenhills to Taft with the Archers.
The five players who will be high school seniors next year are Arellano’s Carlo Abadeza, La Salle Greenhills’ Ricci Rivero, La Salle Zobel’s Aljun Melecio, Ateneo’s Jolo Mendoza and Xavier’s Tyler Tio.
Team Hype is made up of Abadeza, Caracut, Mike de la Cruz, Mark Dyke, Estrella, Christian Fajarito, Go, Navarro, Matt Nieto, Mikel Panlilio, Rivero and Noah Webb. Comprising Team Punks are Abatayo, Denniel Jay Aguirre, Quinito Banzon, Brandrey Bienes, Wendelino Comboy, Gallego, Gob, Melecio, Mendoza, Mike Nieto, Tio and JD Tungcab.
Silva said the SLAM Rising Stars Classic will unveil the future of Philippine basketball. “The outlook is very bright,” he said. “These boys will continue or even do better than their predecessors. Because of the SLAM Rising Stars, high school basketball is getting the exposure it deserves although the exposure could still be better. This showcase gives the boys a chance to show Filipino fans the true meaning of heart, desire and love for the game.”
As for the players to watch on his team, Silva singled out Estrella, Caracut, Go, Dyke and Matt Nieto. “These players were MVPs or Mythical 5 picks in their respective leagues,” he noted. “They’ll compete and try their best to go for the win.”
Nazario said versatility is a common thread among the players in the SLAM Rising Stars Classic. “My impression is they’re very versatile players who can play multiple positions,” he said. “I see in them the effect of the trend in basketball where there’s no defined playing position. In this generation, basketball is a lifestyle, a culture. This is what the SLAM Rising Stars Classic is all about. It doesn’t only showcase talent but also, these young players who live and breathe basketball. I’m very excited to see the matchups between Andrei and Jollo with Team Hype against Aljun and Jolo of Team Punks.”
Nazario said he’ll keep an eye on several key players. “Mike Nieto is a very smart player, undersized as a big man but his ability to see, read and react on both ends of the floor sets him apart,” he said. “One reason why he’s the UAAP juniors MVP. Aljun is a do-it-all guard, scores, rebounds and led the UAAP in assists and steals. Fearless and willing to take over a game when given the chance. Jolo Mendoza reminds me a lot of P. J. Simon, a silent operator who gets the job done. I envy his shot release. JD Tungcab’s ability to play multiple positions with ease can create a lot of mismatches.”
As a long-time high school coach, Nazario said he realizes the importance of strength and conditioning. “Being a high school coach for about 10 years now, I’ve seen how quick, fast-paced and highly physical the game is being played now,” he said. “I think my fellow coaches will agree that high school basketball puts a premium on strength and conditioning training.”
The first SLAM Rising Stars Classic brought together a star-studded cast last year. Three players are back for a reprise – the Nieto twins and de la Cruz. The others advanced to the seniors division. Ateneo reaped a rich harvest from the crop, bringing in Thirdy Ravena, Hubert Cani, Arvin Tolentino, Clint Doliguez, Jay Javelosa and John Apacible. Radge Tongco and Javee Mocon stayed at San Beda. Prince Rivero remained at La Salle from Greenhills to Taft. Renzo Subido went to UST from La Salle Zobel. Rev Diputado transferred from San Beda to National and joined J. P. Cauilan. Russell Escoto stayed at FEU and Diego Dario at UP.
“What SLAM Philippines started in 2014 continues in 2015 and beyond,” said SLAM Philippines editor at large Mico Halili. “On March 29, SLAM Philippines will be honored to host this breakout event, the 2015 SLAM Rising Stars Classic for the next big names. It is, for love of the game, our privilege to present this year’s Rising Stars. The future belongs to those who dream. SLAM Philippines believes that the younger the dreamer, the bigger the dream. Hence, in gathering the country’s top high school players for the annual SLAM Rising Stars Classic, our mission is to give their basketball dreams the boost it deserves. SLAM Philippines also believes that high school stars aren’t upcoming members of the basketball community. They are members now. They are members with undeniable ties to the past, present and future of the sport. They contribute to the nation’s hoop culture. They strengthen the Filipinos’ bond to the game.”