Complete Red Lions Line-Up Loses on Super Six Anniv

The date: June 24, 2012

The playbill: San Beda Red Lions versus the Arellano University Chiefs

The tale of the tape:

San Beda: 9 of the 15 players on San Beda’s roster were suspended, due to an off-season melee with the San Sebastian Men’s Volleyball Team. Without its top guns and mainstays, San Beda had to make do with what’s left of its arsenal- untested rookies and returnees.

Arellano: Perfect attendance, 15 out of 15, on Arellano’s bench, hoping to give new Coach Koy Banal, a warm welcome into the NCAA.

The verdict: Utoy Abarcar, Junjun Bonsubre, Arth dela Cruz, Yvan Ludovice, Dave Moralde and Richie Villaruz (now etched in school history as the Super Six) played the game of their lives to win, 81-71.

Fast forward into 2013…

Bedans were in for a shocker…

The Lyceum Pirates had never beaten San Beda since they joined the league in 2011. News reports this morning stated that during the off-season, the Pirates lived under one roof, cooking, eating and sleeping together. A couple of days ago, they agreed to turn off all their mobile phones, and broke loose from all social media to focus on their game. This was what it took to be in the zone, and beat the defending champions.

I remembered stories told of how the Super Six prepared for that game last year. The entire team egged them on in their daily practices. The coaches paid particular attention on building the stamina of the Super Six. A considerable period of time during the summer break was dedicated to prepare for that game.

Looking at the analogy,  it was pretty much how the Lyceum Pirates prepared to beat the Red Lions this year. There really was no magic formula, hardwork, determination, focus.. This was how Davids beat Goliaths.

It could be history repeating itself. But this time, it was San Beda on the losing end.

Winning six of the last seven NCAA titles may have made our players complacent, battling the lower ranked teams. But this is why you have coaches around, to motivate the athletes in keeping the competitive flames in them burning. These boys are fighters, with every muscle and bone in their bodies built for intense competition. They just have to wake up from slumber, the season is back on.

It may be a lot of factors too. Fatigue from playing two consecutive playdates? Conspiracy theories? New coach, new system? Burning out? None of these factors are ever new. The Red Lions experience these, year in, year out.

People are quick to point fingers, whose fault is it? What could have gone wrong? Maybe not much. It’s just that, tides shift.. Bilog ang bola eh. Now, the whipping boys of the league refuse to lose, just as much as the defending champions do. The Pirates had the hunger, they got the grit. They wanted it more.

As the league unfolds, I want to wish my favorite six-some, a happy, happy anniversary. I was one of the privileged few who saw this historic game live. Thank you, Super Six, for making that day, one of my most unforgettable Red Army moments of all time. May the same hunger and the grit that won you that game, drive this year’s team back on the road to the four-peat.

Go San Beda Fight!

Red Lions Open Title Defense with Nailbiting Win

Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200631969296538&set=gm.528454517203575&type=1&theater

I thought that the game today was just another day in the office for the Red Lions. An easy score into the win column for San Beda. The players probably had the same thing in mind as they entered the court today. But boy, were we all mistaken…

It was College of Saint Benilde’s show, being hosts for this season. And they carried it over to gametime. The Arena was painted green, an enthusiastic pep squad in attendance. The Blazers were tenacious, both on offense and defense. They kept on fighting, pounding at the tournament favorites, quarter after quarter.

But then.. It was the heart of the champion that carried San Beda through.

Baser Amer was on top of things, yet again. He is, hands down, the best point guard in the

collegiate ranks in my books. He didn’t have the perfect game, but whatever mistakes he committed, he made sure to compensate them. His teammates are calm and composed when he’s around. He simply puts the rotation in order.

Art dela Cruz.. Ateneo’s loss.. San Beda’s gain. This is what I keep telling myself everytime I see Art dela Cruz. And I shouted this out the loudest this afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena. Game after game after game, he is slowly emerging as the Red Lions’ top offensive option. As I saw him float in the air to receive the alley oop pass from Rome dela Rosa on top of the goal, I told myself he has truly arrived.

And my, my, my… That final play, was vintage Boyet Fernandez. I remembered  that play when you won your first championship with NLEX. Ronald Pascual converted a jumper near the baseline, with 0.8 seconds left. Nung na-shoot yun, napa-tumbling ka pa!

Abot langit ang saya ko kanina nung nakashoot si Art, pero wala yun sa kalahati ng sa ‘yo. Nang mapatakbo ka galing sa bench ng San Beda, hanggang sa harap ng bench ng Benilde, that was classic!!!

It was a scrappy win for San Beda. But I saw some bright spots during the game that made me smile. Jaypee Mendoza pulling down key rebounds.. Kyle Pascual swatting some shots.. Yvan Ludovice clocking in his well-deserved playing time.. Rome dela Rosa getting back into his running game.. Lots of other things to look forward to in the upcoming season.

My voice hoarse, my throat scratchy, but my heart flutters.. The basketball fan in me is giddy again with excitement. The Red Lions ushered in the collegiate basketball season for me today. It’s time to bring all the red out from my closet, the race to the 4-peat starts now.

Go San Beda Fight!

PS: For game highlights, and a blow-by-blow of the final play, check out this ink: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/video-fourth-quarter-highlights-of-san-bedas-thrilling-win-over-benilde

Tale of the Wrong Uniform: Juniors edition

Though belatedly, I will protest another sneaky tactic employed in the NCAA. To San Beda, when will we ever learn?

In an article in the Manila Bulletin, last July 23, 2010, it read:

“Stags tie Lion for NCAA lead

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO

Meanwhile, the Management Commitee forfeited the San Beda Red Cubs’ 86-71 win over the Letran Squires on Wednesday after one of their players wore a wrong uniform.

ManCom handed down the verdict on Friday, a day after commissioner Aric Del Rosaro called the attention of the ManCom concerning Baser Amer’s wrong uniform in that game, which did not bear the logo of one of the league’s sponsors. The forfeiture thus dealt the defending champions their first loss in four games.”

I don’t understand why they even let the players finish a game like this, when they have noticed the infraction, apparently, during gametime.  Once they notice such a thing, they should halt the game and forfeit right away. This will spare the players for any injury that might occur, by continuing to play in a game that will eventually be forfeited. Did they ever think of that?

And yes, it makes San Beda look stupid because we are always found to commit these mistakes. We should have an inhouse Committee on Uniform to painstakingly check if the players wear the proper uniform.

But at the end of it all, it barely made a dent to the record of the erstwhile undefeated Red Cubs. And even if that game was played several times over, Baser Amer will still run circles around the Squires. I tell you, this Baser Amer is the next big name soon to splash into college basketball. Mark my word, and remember this face.

(Baser Amer, seen her in a red San Beda jersey, flanked by legendary Coach Ato Badolato and now San Beda Red Lion Dave Moralde)

August 18,2010: San Beda v. San Sebastian

A repeat of the heartbreaking finals episode of last season. I fearlessly forecast a different outcome this time.

It is a game like this that makes you wish, days turn into hours, hours into minutes, minutes into seconds. It makes you wonder why why why Tuesdays have to come before Wednesdays! Okay, now you get my drift.

I want to see Calvin Abueva get fried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*According to unconfirmed reports, Abueva was given a stern warning for his conduct as evidenced by this clip. I couldnt help looking the other way when watching this video!!! This was definitely worth a suspension! Worse than getting punched in the face, I’d say.

But read this:

Season host= San Sebastian

Top candidate for MVP= Abueva

1 game suspension=DQ from the MVP race.

I think the algorithm makes everything clear enough.

Anyone who honestly believes Calvin “The Beast” Abueva is 22 years old or young enough to play in the NCAA must be dreaming. I hate his face, but more than that, I hate him so much, coz he plays so well. And for tomorrow, I hope and pray that the San Beda defense will throw him a nightmare. I hope Marcelo, Daniels, the Pascuals and Semerads are ready, although I doubt looking at their angelic faces is anywhere close to a nightmare. I’m dreading to see Bulawan’s pa-innocent face. Calling Borgie Hermida, watch out for landmines on the court, a.k.a. Pamboy Raymundo’s foot innocently waiting to trip you. I tell you, this game will be a mad, mad scramble.

I’m all excited for a Golden Stag throwdown. Are you?

This is war.

All I need now is a lucky red outfit.

Go San Beda Fight!!!!!

San Beda Letran Game Ends with a Walkout

These two teams never run out of dramatic stories to tell. In today’s Fil-Oil Preseason game pitting the archrivals, the afternoon turned out sizzling for all those who came and saw the match.

At the 6:44 mark in the third quarter, when San Beda led Letran 53-44, topscoring Kevin Alas was called for his fifth personal foul. He marched to his bench, holding on to the ball. He then passed on the ball to his dad, Coach Louie Alas, who then threw the ball high up in the air. He was imposed a warning for doing so. Assistant Coach Ed Cordero was heckling the referees and Alas from the San Beda bench, egging them to instead call a technical on Alas. At this point, all hell broke loose. The Letran bench zoomed over to the San Beda side. It later turned into an almost rumble. Cooler heads however prevailed. The technical committee and the referees on board decided to throw out both Alas and Cordero. Then, the Letran bench headed to the dugout, and forfeited the game.

In most of the recent games of San Beda Letran, Coach Louie ends up always losing his cool. It’s a major story to take home, or to read in the papers. But really, shouldn’t he be setting a better example to his players? He’s supposed to be the last one to go berserck. Instead, it’s his players who’s keeping him from surging to the other side.

Will we see this happening again in the next NCAA season? Your guess is as good as mine…

A CLOSE, CLOSE CALL AT THE ARENA

No, I am not talking about the San Beda Red Lions making minced meat out of the JRU Heavy Bombers last Monday. There was an interesting sideshow that happened nearing halftime of the blowout match.

It was a capacity crowd that came out to watch the rematch of the 2008 NCAA finalists. My family knew all too well that it will be filled to the rafters. So we arrived at the Arena an hour early to get good seats. We were issued NCAA guest passes, so we use this to gain entry to the Arena during NCAA games. While the NCAA issues tickets with seat numbers, the seating arrangement is almost never followed. The rule of thumb since time immemorial is FIRST-COME, FIRST SERVED.

Before the game started, an usherette approached me and said that I should give way to the ticket holders, who were supposed to take our seat. I said, “Are you seriously going to rearrange the whole venue so you could follow the seat numbers?” That was virtually impossible, as all the seats were already filled. People were already sitting on the steps and on the aisle! But I said if they insist, okay I will move. Then the usherette said, okay ma’am I think they will move later. In the meantime, I stayed put on my seat, together with a friend and my mom.

Soon after the second quarter began, a woman dressed in “The Arena” uniform, approached our seats and started relocating the people seated beside us. She was asking us for tickets to show. We showed her our guest passes. She said, with that pass, we are not entitled guaranteed seats anywhere.

My mom said angrily, “Dont you dare ask us to move? Can you see how packed this venue is? If you can ask the entire crowd to find their appropriate seats, then we will move.”

Then she walked away saying, “kausapin nyo nalang ung taga-San Beda” 

In a matter of minutes, Mari Lacson, NCAA ManCom chair, was walking towards us. He explained to my mom that it was his policy that ticket holders will be given priority, we had to vacate our seats. My mom said, “Do you know how hard it is to get seats now??” A heated exchange ensued. Then my mom stormed out, and left her seat.

The ticket holders, I found out thereafter, were already occupying seats several rows behind us. I started to talk to them and asked where their seats were so we can transfer there. I was about to move to the back, when the woman, in her Arena uniform and walkie-talkie, came to shoo us away from our seats.

Now she had reinforcement, a security escort.

She started shooing displaced spectators. Mind you,with accompanying hand gestures… As in shoo fly, dont bother me. Saying also to the guard behind her, paalisin nyo mga ‘yan.

One Bedan alumnus approached her and said that, let us resolve this among ourselves, without the need for security. But no, she totally ignored this advice.

I, trying to keep my cool, approached her. I said in Tagalog, “Nakausap ko na ung mga nakaupo dito. Lilipat na kami sa inuupuan nila. Okay na kami. Di ka na kailangan andito.” I said this very diplomatically. But it translated to her in a very threatening tone. Baka kasi barok yung Tagalog ko.

This woman now said, “Baket?! I have every right to be here!!”  Then she flashed her ID so close to my face. Kulang nalang isampal nya sa mukha ko.

Now I remember her name, even in my sleep…

“MARILYN V. MANANSALA, MANAGER”.

Repeat until fade…

I couldnt contain myself anymore. I said,

Me: Alam mo kinakausap kita nang matino, wag kang bastos.

Manager: Ikaw ang bastos, kanina ka pa nambabastos.

Me: Ako, bastos? Binastos ba kita? Kausap ba kita kanina? At this point, I was standing really close to her. Maybe  I was already shouting to her ear. Most of all, I was trying my hardest not to nudge her off the railing.

Manager: Wag mo ko itulak. Hindi mo kilala kung sino ako.. (Yes ngayon, kilala na kita. MARILYN V. MANANSALA. Thanks to the ID flashing)

Me: Huh? Tinutulak ba kita.

Manager: Palabasin nyo nga to! (talking to her security guard escort)

Waaaaaaahhhh daig pa ang radio drama sa hapon!!!!!

Now I looked at the security escort. He looked back respectfully and apologetically at me. I nodded back at him, signalling I’m okay, if not for this B**** (with a capital BEEE) in front of me.

At this point, I turned away to search for my relocated seat, controlling myself not to inflict slight physical injuries against this woman. My dad already rushed to my side, anticipating any effort from the guard to drag me out of the premises. The security guard, the usherettes, even the patrons who displaced us from our seats repeatedly apologized to me because of that. I gracefully accepted the apologies and smiled back at them. It’s all good.

I found out later on that my brother and our other friends were watching the scene from afar, ready to back me up in case of any untoward incident. A reliable source even told me that after that encounter, this woman gathered the guards and instructed them to take pictures of me!

Honestly, a week has passed and my family hadn’t gotten over that day. We were embarassed in front of a sea of Bedans all because we had NCAA guest passes which, according to my dad, was afforded the lowest of the low priority.  We were humiliated like that because we didnt have three freaking lower box seats worth P150 each. We decided to be paying patrons from now on, and use the NCAA guest pass as a huge huge pendant.

I understand the policy that was being implemented on guest passes and paid tickets, as was explained to us by the ManCom chair, at the venue, and a text exchange thereafter. But, in my opinion, it must be implemented strictly, at all times. I suggest that the ushers and usherettes, from the beginning till the end, should be instructed to  lead paying patrons to their designated seat numbers, as printed on the tickets. The way it’s being done in Araneta should also be implemented in the Arena. I observed too that numerous guest passes were issued to loyal patrons, press people, NCAA officials, etc. I think it’s best to allot a dedicated area where these guests can sit. Not just to shoo them away at very awkward moments of the game, when people who are late start claiming their seats. I think something must really be done about this, to avoid incidents like these in the future.

All that being said, the most abhorring fact here is the unforgivable, brazen attitude of the Arena manager. Kilala nyo na ba sha? All together now…

MARILYN V. MANANSALA

If you click this link, http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=449553

You will see her in the picture, the woman wearing blue.

From my brief research, I find that this woman is an official of the City Government of San Juan and the FilOil Flying V Arena is the property of the city of San Juan. You can find her name and designation from the San Juan City website.

http://www.sanjuancity.gov.ph/citygov/executive/executive.htm

As a city official/employee, you, Ms. Manager, are expected to “extend prompt, COURTEOUS, and adequate service to the public.”  That’s by law, dear. You can look it up on the CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES. As longtime residents and constituents of San Juan, my family deserves that from our city officials and employees. And that includes YOU.

It is disheartening that people, who are given a small dose of power, stomp on ordinary citizens to assert their might. It was a surprise to find this kind of attitude in a sports arena, in a San Beda-JRU basketball match! Aren’t we all lucky this woman was just a manager of a piece of city property? What a scary thought it is if this individual was a barangay captain, city mayor, or geezzz… president of the Philippines!

In this short theatric act, one can already sense the struggle of the seemingly powerful and the powerless. What a sad, sad reality!

It helped though that the Red Lions relied on the heroics of Superman to chalk up an impressive victory against the Heavy Bombers.

Buti nalang panalo kami. Nawala init ng ulo ko. Kung natalo, gerahan na to!!!

Recounting the experience makes my blood rise!!!

Pero sige na nga, GO SAN BEDA FIGHT nalang!

Animo!

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

It is the morning after, and yet, I couldn’t quite get over the happenings from yesterday’s blockbuster game pitting San Beda and Letran. The game was everything I expected the game to be. Blockbuster in every sense, the two teams going neck to neck, neither seeing the clear light of day till the buzzer sounded. Maybe this is how stages are set between age old rivals.

Despite the tattered lineup of Letran, slashed by the graduation of its main men over the years, Louie Alas came up with one hell of a fight, utilizing his young gunners to the hilt. He and his boys kept the game close, thwarting every instance San Beda got to pull away. Frankie Lim, on the other hand, nervously anointed his veterans to deliver him from the scare of defeat. The gamble paid off, sculpting new heroes out of captain Bam Gamalinda and new limelight boy JR Tecson. Noteworthy mention to steady performances by foreigner super rookie Sudan Daniel, smooth and savvy operators, Garvo Lanete and Rome dela Rosa.

Nonetheless, what caught everyone’s attention was what transpired after the buzzer sounded. Kevin Alas and Sudan Daniel got tangled in a scuffle, which brought both benches on the court, with each of their mentors acting as pacifiers. The crowd got rowdy after that. The players, coaches and officials docked low as bottles, coins and even plastic chairs were flying from all over. I got all nervous when the gallery right behind us joined in a fray of their own. It was like a jailbreak action flick. I had to seat my pregnant sister on one safe side, and shield her head with a pillow!

The Bedan players were ushered into the dugout almost immediately, but not without being chinked by a bottle or two. Clever thinking by the coaching staff, coz it was time to step out. They etched out a win. Another day at the office.

It was a sad sorry sight that San Beda Letran games would often come down to this, over the last two years. Maybe Letran was left to crumbles each time they lost to the Red Lions during this period. But heck, prior to this winning streak, San Beda failed to muster a win against the Knights for SEVEN FREAKING YEARS!!! Come on, the world is round. Mas feel kong sabihin sa tagalog. Bilog ang bola… Kayo ngayon ang nasa ilalim… Live with it.

But in all honesty, don’t we all love the action that this intense match-up brings?? That we live for these scuffles after the match? Aren’t we oh-so-tempted to throw debris into the court? To the Letran crowd, sing “Beda-Tulo-Laway” to your heart’s content? To the Bedan crowd, retort back with the emphatic “Is-kwa-ter” chant?

It  is for real. An endearing old woman said to me after the game, “Mas masaya ang laban pag may rumble. Hinagis ko rin ung bote ko sa court!” Let this be the testament, that much as we don’t admit, it is part of what we all came for.

Truly, San Beda-Letran is not for the faint of heart. I’ve come to think that it’s not wise to bring children! (Note to Letran: pag-aralin nyo ang mga Grade 1 nyo!! Hindi yung kinukulong nyo sila sa Arena at pinapakain ng hotdog!) It was moments like these that painted the NCAA’s colorful history. Alumni hold on to these memories as vivid paintings on their walls. Yesterday was nothing like the rumbles of old, but it sure brought them back to their early years. Boy you should have seen the bright looks on their faces yesterday! Talk about giving in to life’s guilty pleasures…

The NCAA may be rough and wily, jologs daw o is-kwa-ter! But then, you keep coming back for more, don’t you?

Eto ang tikas ng NCAA…

 

Thanks to JC Laurito for the photos. For more pics, visit http://pulatography.multiply.com

THE RED THAT RUNS IN YOUR BLOOD

 

 

 

 

If a picture paints a thousand words….

This one paints one in bold, red letters….. BEDAN.

Luis Alfonso “LA” Revilla is one of the many San Beda Red Cubs who honed their basketball skills under the tutelage of the great mentor Ato Badolato. In 2007, he joined the De La Salle University Green Archers and as a rookie point guard, led them to a runner up finish in the 71st season of the UAAP. Much like his elder brothers, JV Casio and RenrenRitualo who came before, he was among the “ones that got away” who have jumped off the NCAA fence to lift their UAAP schools to basketball glory. These departures from the San Beda basketball program have always been bittersweet, since leaving most often amounts to forgetting. But those named, and the one that appears above, beg to disagree.

During the last Fil-oil Flying V Pre-season Cup, this image of LA touched a soft spot in the hearts of the Bedans who witnessed the San Beda-De La Salle match-up. When the San Beda band blew its horns to play the Bedan hymn, LA stepped forward to distinguish himself from his Green Archer teammates, proudly raised his fist and joined in paying homage to our Alma Mater. His teammates in green were bewildered by the gesture. But the Bedans not.

With LA’s affirmation, we were all reminded that,

Wherever we go,

Whatever we end up to be,

We may wear green or dress up in blue…

But the red that runs in our blood will never fade.

Ito ang tatak ng tunay na Bedista! Animo LA Revilla!

Go San Beda Fight!

P.S. Many thanks to Third Garcia for LA’s photo. For extensive photo coverage of the NCAA and San Beda activities, visit www.redlens.org and http://redlensorg.multiply.com.

** Latest news is that LA Revilla is no longer part of the lineup of the De La Salle Green Archers for Season 72, due to medical reasons. Here’s hoping for LA’s recovery from his medical concerns. Your Bedan community shall stand beside you through your trials. Godspeed!

RED CUBS HOP ON WINNING DRIVE

In this year’s season of NCAA basketball, we are all in to witness the raging comeback of the San Beda Red Cubs!

Rising from the remnants of the first season where the Red Cubs failed to enter the Final Four last year, the bunch of Ato Badolato is back. Back to clinch the title for Senor Ato one last time.

In major dailies today, Badolato, the multi-titled mentor who molded the superstars out of Bedan alumni Paras, Magsanoc, Ritualo, Tenorio and Casio, is in his final year at the helm. Sir Ato expects nothing less than the Juniors basketball title, to make him, the winningest coach, and San Beda, the winningest team in the history of the NCAA Juniors Basketball Division.

The Red Cubs launched their race back to the top with a thrashing of the Mapua Red Robins, 122-42. Yes you read right. The rampage has begun.

These boys could give any seniors basketball lineup a serious run for their money. In fact, during their three day teambuilding workshop at the Subic Bay Yacht Club, the Red Cubs feasted on Region III Senior Basketball champs Lyceum Subic Sharks, 77-60. The Red Cubs boast of a towering frontline in the persons of Alfonso Gotladera, Christopher Javier, John Aldrin Lunas and Arthur dela Cruz. As if that is not enough, the backcourt crew will run you crazy, with David Moralde, leading the charge, and ably supporting him, Von Chavez, Yvan Ludovice and Davaoeno super rookies Van Adam Abatayo and Baser Amer. The supporting cast will definitely surprise the opposition with energy minutes off the bench, composed of Al Amin, Dominique Monteclaro, Dominic Nazareno, Raphael Nayve, Roldan Sara and Angelo dela Costa. Badolato has rubbed off on these players his refuse to lose, never to settle for second best attitude. (I am told that Badolato’s collection of trophies only has space for won championships. Runners-up trophies are reportedly thrown away.) This 15 man wrecking crew will look to steal back what is rightfully theirs, ready and willing to re-take the first Juniors crown since the 2004 Red Cubs team of Menor, Tecson, Taganas and Martinez.

Watching the Red Cubs in action, is like watching a tennis match. Your heads turn from left to right then left again, as they run, run and run, to the backcourt and front, with their hustle defense and gutsy plays. Since the Arena is a stone’s throw away from where we live, I’m excited to fill my M-W-F sked watching the Red Cubs in the mornings and the Red Lions in the afternoons!

The San Beda Juniors team is composed of six alumni from the Nike Elite Camp, the most coming out of any school, three from the Nokia RP Under-16 Youth Team and most, if not all of them, came out of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League . Such a star-studded cast! With that in mind, it is without doubt that recruiting wars will soon commence for these young dribblers. One that I hope that the Red Lions will emerge victorious in.

What a perfect season it would be if San Beda could cap its hosting stint with a double basketball championship. I say let’s rally behind both our Red Cubs and Red Lions, and watch this goal unfold before us. 

Bring out the challenges, we’ll win them all!

GO. SAN BEDA. FIGHT!

SARAP MAGING BEDISTA!

LET THE NCAA WARS BEGIN!

Yesterday, the NCAA ushered in its 85th season with a bang! And in yesterday’s offering, new stars were born. For the Bedan diehards, names like Gamalinda, Daniel, Lanete, Caram emerged from the shadows of first five’s past to deliver in their opening game against Mapua. But being there amongst the crowd, it was clear who yesterday’s biggest star was: San Beda College itself.

The crowd at the Araneta was treated to nothing less of a spectacle. The opening ceremonies was a masterpiece. Rector President Fr. Matt de Jesus had long kept mum about what will happen at the opening. He simply said, “The ceremony is better seen than heard.” And he was right. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It started with a group dressed like red-clad monks, with two little kids, one dressed in a cute San Beda jersey, and the other unassuming in a white long sleeved polo and black pants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the cameras zoomed into the latter, the crowd roared at the sight of Santino, from the hugely popular primetime soap, “May Bukas Pa.” He then led the prayer, speaking to his best friend Bro. (Sorry guys, you have to watch the soap to be able to relate).

Grand Little Star Dreamer sings the Lord's Prayer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thereafter, Philip Nolasco, that cute kid wearing the San Beda jersey, sang The Lord’s Prayer with much gusto. I couldnt believe that the powerful voice was coming from that diminutive frame. I later found out that he was the first Little Grand Star Dreamer, in the reality show Pinoy Dream Academy. After that moving rendition, one of the red clad monks started singing The National Anthem and revealed himself to be…. Christian Bautista!!

 

Wow showbiz talaga ng San Beda, pang-masa pa rin! 

The parade of athletes was ushered by each of the school muses in tastefully designed Victorian-inspired outfits, with a school-colored giant feather as their headdress. I took that scene as a signal, there were more surprises to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, the real show began. I learned the true meaning of a Bedan production number soon after the lights went on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge makeshift screen was set up to flash an audiovisual presentation of vivid images of the last few seasons of the NCAA. A fallen image of John Wilson weeping on the floor, jubilant Letran Knights celebrating a win, a photo of Yousif Aljamal making a shot, and Sam Ekwe waiting for the ball to fall on his hands. Then a flurry of flashes came showing the insignias of the member schools, all with witty captions describing each of the schools’ mantra for the season. This was accompanied by original music commissioned by San Beda College, exclusively for this event,. From the AVP alone, I said, this is it. I texted my sister, who opted to watch on TV, “P*&&&^$%a, you should have been here to see this.”

Then the spectacle unfolded. I was truly sorry for the people who weren’t there. The experience was beyond words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were acrobats flying in harnesses, brilliant choreography happening on the floor. You wouldn’t know where to direct your attention. I was catching a glimpse of the TV coverage as the commentators’ desk was right in front of me. No, you couldn’t capture magic on TV. I saw the camaderie that developed among the pep squads and dance troupes of each member school. They each played an active part of the show. They each had their moments to shine. In the end, they were all hugging and celebrating in the success of what has got to be the greatest show the NCAA ever produced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right now, as I write this post, I thought of scrambling through my bag and keeping what was left of yesterday’s ticket to remember that for that ticket, I got to see the San Beda Red Lions and the Cirque du Soleil all in one sitting! 

At the end of it all, smirking after the huge blow that my Red Lions dealt on the listless Mapua Cardinals, I just couldn’t help but shout, “SARAP MAGING BEDISTA!!!!”

Only those words could quite describe how I felt as I sat in awe.

 

GO SAN BEDA FIGHT!

 

N.B. A big lion’s roar shout-out to the brains behind the Opening Day festivities, Fr. Alberic Laserna, O.S.B. and 2009 NCAA ManCom Chair Jose Mari Lacson! And to all the brilliant artists who played their roles yesterday, you put up quite a show. CONGRATS!

N.B.too: Special thanks to Ms. Elaine Javier for all the photos of the NCAA Opening Ceremonies. For more pictures, check out this site: http://pulatography.multiply.com/photos/album/3/NCAA_85th_season_opening_by_ELAINE_JAVIER#