Eagles aim for Triple Crown next year

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villarin received the P2.8 Million golden ECJ (Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.) trophy for the Blue Eagles’ victory in this season’s UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Loyola campus yesterday and set his sights on the P5.8 Million Triple Crown prize that will be awarded to the team with three consecutive championships.

As Ateneo has won two titles in a row, it will be in a position to claim the Triple Crown next year. Cojuangco volunteered to donate the championship trophy for six years starting last season and the UAAP Board welcomed the offer. On top of the yearly prize, Cojuangco said he will award the Triple Crown trophy to the team that wins three titles in a row.

Both the season and Triple Crown trophies are crafted by Cebu’s Suarez and Sons. The season trophy is 15 inches tall and weighs 2.5 kilos of 14-carat gold while the Triple Crown trophy is 17 inches tall and weighs 3.2 kilos of 14-carat gold. If Ateneo wins a third championship next year, it will gather three season trophies and the Triple Crown prize with a total value of P14.2 Million.

Cojuangco’s representative and close associate Narciso (Chit) Pineda, an Ateneo alumnus, delivered the season trophy with La Salle team official Paolo Sauler and this writer to Fr. Villarin at the Xavier Hall. Witnessing the presentation were Ateneo players Angelo Kouame and William Navarro, Ateneo Sports Hall of Famer Jimmy Alabanza and Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame special awardee and former Ateneo Alumni Association president Joey Campos.

Pineda extended Cojuangco’s congratulations to the Eagles and his admiration to the UP Fighting Maroons for making the Finals as “the stars of season 81.” “We’re experiencing a golden age of collegiate basketball and Danding wishes to commend Ateneo for being at the forefront of this era,” he said. Even as Cojuangco’s alma mater La Salle failed to qualify for the Final Four, he made good on his promise to deliver the trophy. It’s the second straight year that the ECJ trophy was handed to Ateneo. Fr. Villarin thanked Cojuangco for his gesture. “The trophy is a symbol of true sportsmanship,” he said. “It affirms the bond that ties Danding, Ateneo and the member schools of the UAAP. This recognition isn’t just for Ateneo but for all the schools in the UAAP and the entire country. The trophy could’ve gone to UP or any other school.”

Pineda also brought the Triple Crown trophy which has two golden plates citing Ateneo’s championships in the last two seasons. The trophy was unveiled for the first time. As the UAAP host school next year, Ateneo has the rare opportunity to capture the Triple Crown.

“We’ll definitely aim for it,” said Fr. Villarin. “The Triple Crown is also a reminder for us not to let our guard down. It’s actually a reminder for everyone in the UAAP and our country never to let our guard down, not just in sports but in all aspects of life.”

Kouame took the season trophy in his hands and kissed it while Navarro smiled approvingly.  They promised to go all out for the Grand Slam next season. The Eagles are returning with a virtually intact lineup, losing only guard Anton Asistio, and will be heavily favored to make it three in a row.

Alabanza, who played three years with the Eaglets and four with the Eagles, said he was never on a championship team. “I graduated in 1967 and during my time, we didn’t really recruit so we were often cellar dwellers,” said Alabanza, known for his deadly perimeter shooting. “We played in the NCAA. I remember in one game, I was punched in the eye, had a huge swelling and took 10 stitches for a cut. I also remember losing to La Salle by 27 points and our cheerleader Dick Gordon kept the Ateneo gallery cheering even after the game when they turned off the coliseum lights. My favorite player was La Salle’s Billy Manotoc. Players weren’t too big then and if you were 6-feet, you would play center. Today, the players are huge and extremely skilled. Basketball has come a long way.” 

Alabanza said his family has ties with at least four other UAAP schools. Campos attended La Salle in elementary and high school before transferring to Ateneo. In the UAAP, rivalries don’t extend beyond the game because friendships are more important than holding bitter school grudges. A perfect example is the long friendship of Pineda from Ateneo and Cojuangco from La Salle. “In the end, it’s all about sportsmanship,” said Pineda.