Lordei Hina, a Political Science student who was stabbed several times by robbers on Wednesday inside the University Student Council office at Vinzons Hall in the University of the Philippines Diliman is still unconscious and remains in “a very critical condition,” her mother said.

In a press conference Saturday, Connie Hina said Lordei’s brain suffered serious damage from the wounds that were most likely inflicted by an ice pick. She added that the next six months would be critical for her daughter, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Capitol Medical Center, in regaining her normal cognitive functions.

“At this point, it’s hard to say if she’ll recover or not, but I always believe in the power of prayers and positive thinking. Nothing is impossible to a willing and determined mind… Alam kong makaka-recover ang anak ko (I know my daughter will recover), and that I claim right now. Di pa tapos ang laban ng anak ko sa buhay (She hasn’t finished her fight in life),” Mrs. Hina said.

Lordei was attacked when she was alone inside the USC office by two men claiming to be members of a tattoo artists’ organization which was interested in renting a booth in the upcoming UP Fair.

The UP Diliman Police were able to arrest one of the suspects, who identified himself as Carlo Pecayo, 35, a few minutes after the crime. A Vinzons Hall security guard had seen Pecayo leave with a bag he did not have with him when he entered the building.

Lordei’s bag, two laptops worth P80,000, an external drive worth P3,000, and an improvised ice pick were recovered from Pecayo. His acccomplice, identified in the police report as Dante Santos, still remains at large as of press time.

Mrs. Hina said Lordei’s brain sustained the greatest amount of damage from the stab wounds to her head, which contrary to the suspect’s claim in earlier reports, was allegedly not caused by hitting her with a trophy but by a “very sharp and blunt object, which can only be… an ice pick.”

“Whatever it is na ginamit na panghampas [kay Lordei], ang na-damage lang sa kanya ay yung nose, at yung sinuses na cause [kung bakit] namamaga pa yung mata niya. Yung sa brain, it was by stabbing, which was caused by more likely an ice pick… kasi tumagos [sa utak],” (Whatever was used to hit Lordei damaged her nose and sinuses, which caused the swelling of her eyes. Her head was stabbed, more likely by an ice pick because it went into the brain) she said.

According to Mrs. Hina, surgery is currently not an option for Lordei as doctors are still waiting for her wounds to heal. She remains positive, however, that her daughter will recover quickly given that she is still young.

Lordei’s mother and her lawyer, Jessica Barun, refused to discuss the legal actions they are planning to take against Pecayo, saying that they have yet study the charges filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Quoting Superintendent Michael Macapagal of the Quezon City Police District Station 9, the Philippine Star reported that Pecayo underwent inquest proceedings late Thursday for robbery, serious physical injury and illegal possession of a bladed weapon.

In a statement released by the Office of the Chancellor Friday, the UP administration said it is “profoundly affected and deeply saddened” by the attack on Lordei.

The UPD Committee on Security and Welfare recommended the strict checking of IDs and bags by security personnel who will be issued metal detectors at the entrances of all colleges, dormitories and buildings on campus following its emergency meeting with Chancellor Caesar Saloma on Friday.

According to the administration, UPD police visibility around the vicinity where the attack occurred will also be increased “in order to rebuild confidence.”

“As the UP Administration attempts to maintain VH (Vinzons Hall) and UP Diliman (493 hectares, 24,300+ students, 1500+ fulltime faculty members, 1500+ regular staff, tens of thousands of visitors daily) as an open and publicly accessible academic institution, it will continue to develop better ways to ensure the security, safety and well-being of its faculty, staff and students so that UP is able to accomplish its stated mandate as a national university,” the statement said.  With Ardelle Costuna

[UPDATE] The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) released on Monday the official list of candidates for the 2012 University Student Council elections.

The Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) has fielded current councilors Amancio Melad III and Soraya Escandor as their running Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

The Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran (ALYANSA) has Gabriel Diño and Ace Ligsay as their top two contenders while the KAISA – Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (KAISA) has  Maria Shaina Santiago and Ana Alexandria Castro as their standard bearers for the top two positions.

Incumbent STAND UP councilor Jose Martin Loon of the Sigma Rho fraternity is running as independent.

Meanwhile, the University Student Electoral Board  rejected the candidacies of Hanna Keila “Kei” Garcia and  Jeff David “Jeff” Agudelo as STAND UP councilors, Percival “PJ” Tolentino as ALYANSA councilor, and Jimson “Jimson”  Sulit as ALYANSA College of Engineering representative.

Chairperson

(ALYANSA) Diño, Gabriel “Heart”
(Independent) Loon, Jose Martin
(KAISA) Santiago, Maria Shaina
(STAND UP) Melad, Amancio III “Aman”

Vice-chairperson

(ALYANSA) Ligsay, Ace “Ace”
(KAISA) Castro, Ana Alexandra
(STAND UP) Escandor, Soraya Elisse “Aya”

Councilors

ALYANSA
Ayala, Eduard Francis “Lucho”
Bautista, Patricia Isabel “Trisha”
Bringas, Patrick “Pat”
Espinosa, Maria Anna “Maan”
Eva VIII, Jose Emmanuel Micael “Mickey”
Ferrer, Gene Angelo “Gene”
Hernandez, Maria Larissa “Lars”
Rapallo, Genesis “Revee”
Santos, Alexandra Maria Francia “Alex”
Tan, Bea Helene “Bea”
Vicencio, Solomon “Sol”

KAISA
Quinito, Allyssa Joy
Reyes, Carl Anthony
Zipagan, Carla Janine
Clement, Carlos Enrico
Siy, Cheryl
Yutan, Fercival
Villareal, Jermaine
Guiang, Julliano Fernando
Punzalan, Ma. Regina
Bellosillo, Mary Grace
Mendoza, Sarah Louise
Tiu, Simon Stephenson

STAND UP
Abarro, Ghizelle Jane “Ghizelle”
Buergo, Therese Anjelica “Therese”
Canacan, Aryanna “Yanna”
Fungo, John Emmanuel “Fungo”
Guiang, Francisco Jayme Paolo “Jio”
Paris, Garret “Garret”
Roque, Rafael Natal “Raf”
Salvador, Gillian “Gillian”
Salazar, Narcisse Dominique “Nikki”
Solis, Jose Miguel “Mijo”

College Representatives

ALYANSA
Cruz, Jonas Miguelito “Jonas” (CBA)
Macabuhay, Nico “Nico” (FA)
Reyes, Ma. Christina “Tina” (Law)
Poblador, Patricia Erika “Pats” (Cmusic)
Hitosis, Maria Erica “Erica” (CS)
Crescini, Joeric Emil “Joeric” (CSSP)
Magsambol, Darrell John “Darrell” (Econ)
Omega, Christopher “Chris” (Educ)
Villejo, Stephen Jun “Poks” (Stat)
Ang, Sara Gracheooe “Grace” (CSWCD)

INDEPENDENT
Sulit, Leor Jyle (CMC)
Alicer, Nicole Ma. Nimfa (NCPAG)

KAISA
Erro, Erika Mary (AIT)
Gonzalez, Carla Monica (CHE)
Grey, Gayle Krystle (CHK)
Bondad, Serene Ezra (CS)
Obcena, Ma. Beatriz (CSWCD)
Palino, Justin Alfred (Eng’g)
Vicenta, John Karl (Eng’g)
Go, Sara Zemirah (FA)
Santos, Ihna Alyssa Marie (NCPAG)
Ibañez, Allan Michael (Stat)

STAND UP
Paredes, Peter Dominique “Peter” (Archi)
Gabral, Eduardo “Eds” (CAL)
Lucero, John Nelvin “Vino” (BA)
Isidro, Celine Alexis “Celine” (Educ)
Gloria, Enrico “Miko” (Econ)
Cajilig, Alieto Jr. “JR” (Eng’g)
Gonzales, Rejiel “Rage” (Eng’g)
Garvida, Patricia Monica “Pat” (FA)
Pagatpatan, Leonard “Leonard” (CHE)
Cruz, Roscelle “Roscelle” (SLIS)
Torres, Sarah Isabelle “Sarah” (CMC)
Del Castillo, Felipe “Felipe” (CS)
Sicat, Patrick John “Sicat” (CSSP)
Tagala, Mark Joseph “Marky” (CSWCD)

This article was edited on Jan. 31 to reflect the current changes in candidates. 

Not even the rain could end UP’s dry spell in front of a goal.

Tinig ng Plaridel | Michelle Angelica Soriano

The rematch of last year’s final saw multiple chances on goal for either side but neither was able to fully capitalize. Both teams also needed goal-line clearances to preserve a share of the spoils.

“I wanna win. I wanted to win,” said UP coach Anto Gonzales, who was unsatisfied with the draw.

With only minutes to go, the Maroons were denied a first goal in four matches when confusion in the UST defense allowed Jinggoy Valmayor to challenge for a bouncing ball in the UST penalty area.

The UP striker got his header past the UST goalkeeper, but defender Divino Regis recovered just in time to prevent UP’s winning goal.

Minutes earlier, UST’s Shinimar Felongco broke through the UP defense and eventually steered the ball toward goal. Luckily, defender Allen Jose Serna was on hand to punt the ball away.

Valmayor also had an attempt earlier in the second half coming from a well-worked play from the left wing involving Michael Simms and Nii Aryee Ayi, but his shot from an acute angle went just wide.

The UP defense was tested the entire afternoon by Felongco and UST captain Mario Clariño, but they held on to keep a clean sheet. UP has not conceded a goal in over 450 minutes thus far this season.

As for the stuttering UP offense, Coach Anto saw cause for optimism.

“I think attacking-wise, we’re improving. We’re getting more chances,” said Gonzales. He also stressed the importance of his players regaining their confidence, especially in front of goal.

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Photos by Michelle Angelica Soriano

The College Students Electoral Board (CSEB) released yesterday the first official list of candidates for the College of Mass Communication Student Council Elections this year.

Mario Urrutia III of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) is running for Chairperson against Farahnaz Ghodsinia of Interdependent Student-Centered Activism (ISA) and Joaquin Torres, an independent candidate. Urrutia is the incumbent Journalism representative while Ghodsinia is the current Broadcast Communication representative.

Carla Patrice Cucueco (ISA) and Charlotte France (STAND-UP) are gunning for vice-chairperson while Sara Isabelle Torres (STAND-UP) and Leor Jyle Sulit (ISA) are running for College Representative to the University Student Council.

First Official List of Candidates:

Chairperson:

1. Farahnaz Ghodsinia (ISA)
2. Joaquin Torres (Independent)
3. Mario Urrutia III (STAND-UP)

Vice-Chairperson:

1. Carla Patrice Cucueco (ISA)
2. Charlotte France (STAND-UP)

Secretary

1. Maria Fatima Gaw (ISA)
2. Ma. Zarina San Jose (STAND-UP)

Treasurer

1. Serafin Candido Gozon (STAND-UP)
2. Maria Angela Teresa Sebastian (ISA)

BC Representatives (2)

1. Claudine Aldana (STAND-UP)
2. Ella Jane Hermonio (STAND-UP)
3. Macario Manicad III (ISA)
4. Triciah Terada (ISA)

Communication Research Representative (2)

1. Mari Angelyn Arambulo (ISA)
2. Rouenne Camille de Castro (STAND-UP)
3. Angelo Lagman (Independent)
4. Maylene Manzano (ISA)
5. Patricia Ann Morata (STAND-UP)

Film Representative

1. Alberto Gianco Carlo Ante (ISA)
2. Alyssa Mariel Suico (STAND-UP)
3. Earl Joseph Usi (STAND-UP)
4. Marko Yambao (ISA)

Journalism Representative

1. Myra Cabujat (STAND-UP)
2. Ma. Angerica Emmanuelle Hainto (STAND-UP)
3. Chelsea Sullivan (ISA)

CMC Representative to the USC

1. Leor Jyle Sulit (ISA)
2. Sarah Isabelle Torres (STAND-UP)

Photo by Gian Suyat | Tinig ng Plaridel

The University of the Philippines had its goalkeeper to thank for salvaging a second straight scoreless draw in the UAAP men’s football tournament, this time against a scrappy University of the East Sunday at the Ateneo Football Grounds.

UP’s Tyrone Caballes, who has yet to allow a goal this season, made timely stops to foil the Red Warriors’ assault on the Maroons’ goal right at the death.

With minutes left to go, UE’s Gringo Bravo broke with the ball from a UP corner kick. After a slaloming run toward UP’s goal, Bravo slipped the ball across the penalty area to Jimmy Chua, who forced a fine save from Caballes.

Minutes later, Caballes again denied Chua as the goalie charged out of his line and got to the ball ahead of the Red Warrior. Caballes also saved a tame UE free kick with seconds remaining.

UP’s best chance came to Jinggoy Valmayor earlier in the second half. The Maroon challenged the UE goalkeeper for a ball in the air, causing the goalie to fumble.

Valmayor promptly took the shot himself but it was well wide, to the visible dismay of his teammates.

The defending champs has scored two consecutive draws after winning against Ateneo on opening day, while UE also has two draws and one loss to show in their card.

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Photo by Kim Pauig | Tinig ng Plaridel

by Ardelle Costuna

The University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University fought to a rugged 0-0 draw in the second day of the UAAP men’s football  Wednesday at the Ateneo Football Field.

FEU’s goalkeeper posted a sturdy defense over the defending champion’s repeated attempts at the goal mostly during the second half.

“We started out very flat, we weren’t executing sa attack, tapos on defense we were a step slower to the FEU players,” Coach Anto Gonzales of UP said.

“The most difficult part is getting each player work for the common goal… kailangan pareho kami, kailangan magcocommit lahat dun sa goal na yun.”

UP, who trampled upon their Katipunan neighbors Ateneo, 2-0, during the season’s opening last Saturday, now has a victory and a draw in their record. FEU, meanwhile, still has no wins to show, bowing to the season 73 runner-up University of Santo Tomas, 1-0, on the same day.

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A newspaper clipping of the 1986 UP Fighting Maroons championship. Photo taken from InterAKTV.ph

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons pulled off a last-minute miracle against Far Eastern University in the playoffs, but awaiting them in the championship was University of the East. The Red Warriors had won three of the last four UAAP championships, including the last two, and were heavily favored going into the finals. UE had the twice-to-beat advantage by virtue of finishing on top of the elimination round. Even though top gunner Allan Caidic was no longer with the team, the Red Warriors still had the best big man in the UAAP, Jerry Codiñera.

V. “We had to do something to neutralize Jerry Codiñera, so we had to put up a zone.”

Joey Guanio (1st Year Forward): We had a very good record. I think we only had three losses. [But we had] two bad losses from UE na talagang big losses.

Eric Altamirano (4th Year Guard): Nung una tingin namin sa UE invincible, parang hindi namin matalo. Everytime we play them, tambak kami.

Guanio: Yung second round loss namin sa kanila, we really prepared for it in such a way na before the game, they brought us to Westin Philippine Plaza, to Sofitel, just to inhale the breeze of the ocean. Parang ganyan, to relax before the game. Pagdating namin dun all of us were in a bus, we were brought to Rizal Memorial. Yun, tinambakan kami ng bente agad.

Altamirano: UE was the No. 1 team. They were almost unbeatable, so first and second round talagang walang makatalo dyan.

Guanio: Losing twice to them in the regular season and coming up in the playoffs with the twice-to-beat advantage parang it looked so bleak for us to win the championship.

Altamirano: And then, when we came back from Korea, si Coach Joe had a good game plan, strategy, how to beat UE. So for the first time we practiced that. So parang, na-feel ko na, “Wow, maganda ‘to, I think magugulat ang UE.” Parang we’ve never done that against UE before, so I felt confident that this time we’re going to beat them, kasi nga we had a good game plan.

Benjie Paras (1st Year Center): They needed to prove na they’re still the best. So kami naman, parang we’re the challenger. So kami nothing to lose. We just need to play the way we want to play and no pressure. Yun lang.

Altamirano: UE was so good in man-to-man because of Jerry Codiñera. We had to do something to neutralize Jerry Codiñera, so we had to put up a zone. Meron kaming zone defense na pinag-aralan and that neutralized Jerry inside. And then Coach Joe asked us to speed up the game.

Guanio: Coach Joe had to put in some new ideas, we had to cram, we had to practice twice, 7 a.m to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Everyday yun before the UE game.

Altamirano: Game One, I felt we really controlled the game eh. So, again, parang nabulaga yung UE, hindi nila alam what hit them, they could not adjust, so parang, para sa akin, it was a convincing win.

Joe Lipa (Head Coach): Joey Mendoza, I remember, played a very important role in the first game.

Paras: When you win the first game, nasa inyo na yung lahat ng momentum eh. So nasa ‘yo na lahat nung parang pabor. Saka mataas na yung morale namin nun.

Ronnie Magsanoc (4th Year Guard): Fear, pressure, when you make it that far, you are motivated by the chance to win eh. So, alam mo minsan ‘di mo alam kung ano pakiramdam, ‘di mo alam kung ano tawag, kasi bata ka pa eh. All I know, syempre kabado ka. ‘Di naman pwedeng buo loob mo dahil bata ka pa nun

Altamirano: Nung second game na, parang alam na [ng UE] yung ginagawa namin, so the game was close in the first half.

Joe Lipa: Ronnie Magsanoc, I think, was suffering from flu during that championship game.

Chito De La Vega (Inquirer Sports Reporter): Maraming tao nun [nung second game]. Relatively bagong stadium pa noon ang ULTRA, kaya lang malayo siya, wala pang masyadong biyaheng jeep papunta nun e. Hindi nga lang sa Araneta, hindi siya televised live, hindi ko lang alam kung televised siya as it is.

Altamirano: Si Coach Joe, galit na galit siya nung first half, kasi feeling niya niluluto kami ng mga referees, so he was really on his feet, he was shouting to the referees, he was complaining a lot, and he was like [trying to pick] a fight, so it was chaotic in the first half. And then when we went back to the dugout, nagulat ako, nag-iba yung demeanor ni Coach. “Atin na ‘to.” And I heard him say that, I felt more confident, na he knows what he’s doing, and he knew that we could beat this team, that inspired me also na I’m going to do my best in the second half.

Magsanoc: [After the game], nung nagtayuan yung mga tao, si Benjie umakyat din dun sa may officials’ table eh. So yun ang natatandaan ng mga tao. Saka nakita ko yung UP, wala namang pumunta sa ‘tin nun eh [sa simula]. Pero when we started winning, people started coming and eventually they filled up the PhilSports Arena, dati Ultra pa yun. So nakita ko rin sila.

Tessa Jazmines (UP Professor): The hero of that game, yung championship game na yun, was Eric Altamirano. So he won that game for UP. Right after the game, he drove all the way to Rizal Memorial to play another basketball game for the Yco Painters. Sa PABL pa nun.

Altamirano: I think I almost played the whole game sa UP, but because my adrenaline was really pumping, and it was a new team for me, I had to rush to the next game. We were playing Purefoods, team noon sa PABL. And the game went into overtime, and I remember, ako pa yata nag-best player dun sa game na ‘yun. I had to make a three-point shot to tie the game. So parang, “Wow naman,” it was really a special day for me.

Lipa: In the championship series, Benjie Paras was exceptional, and Eric Altamirano. Joey Guanio shot very well, but in the second game, I think most of the workload of the team was taken care of by almost of all the players, everybody contributed well.

Magsanoc: It’s all about team effort and everybody should be credited for what we achieved during that particular year. It was a special time and that was a special group and a very good coach and a very good coaching staff to help us reach the promise land.

Paras: After ng championship, we went to a Chinese restaurant, I forgot the name na. So dun, dun kami pinakain ng alumni. Nagkaroon ng party, parang celebration magdamag.

VI. “It was so big then. Nasa front page kami ng mga newspapers.”

Lipa: [UP president] Edgardo Angara was very happy, and there was one special day for the UP team. There was a parade, and all of the team players were recognized. There was a celebration sponsored by alumni, especially the Sigma Rho fraternity during that time.

Magsanoc: Merong parade, yun naaalala ko yun. Kasi ang UP is not known for sports eh, at wala rin namang recognition sa mga athletes during our time. After we won it, sinara ang UP, sinakay kami sa bus na malaki, lahat kami, tapos din-rive yun dahan-dahan. As usual, yagit pa rin (laughs). Pero para sa ‘min, malaking bagay na yun.

Jazmines: May bonfire, parang yung [UP] centennial [celebration]. Parang ganun kasaya. First time na fireworks syempre, ganun.

Paras: We were recognized in front of the Oblation. Dun kami nag-celebrate tapos dun din ginawa yung bonfire. We were introduced, and that for me is one of the best na naramdaman ko, all of the UP students were there supporting [us].

Altamirano: It was so big then. We were in the front page, nasa front page kami ng mga newspapers, ganun. Tapos nasa column page kami, they were talking about that, kasi nga 48 years eh. So I think for a month ‘ata it was all over the papers, magazines, and we were invited for interviews.

Lipa: It was historic, and everybody was celebrating. We all find the team in the headlines; even non-sports writers and non-sports columnists wrote about the game. One of the most remembered statements was, “It was a victory which was felt in these walls of progress as well as in the Cordillera’s mountains.” Everyone celebrated.

Guanio: It was really big kasi finally, after 48 years of nothing, we finally won something in ’86. After that, yung team, we were brought to Hong Kong. I think may mga holidays tayo nun after nung championship.

Altamirano: What I cherish most is, when we won the championship, sobrang bait sa amin ng UP, na binuksan sa amin yung schedule ng classes. So parang for the first time, “O, pili ka ng teacher mo, pili ka ng time mo.” Eh ako naman, ang goal ko noon, magtapos na ako. So I [took a] full load. Kasi hindi kami allowed mag-full load eh. So when we won the championship, sabi ko, I’ll focus na on my studies, I want to graduate, so full-load na ako, nag-21 units na ako, tapos napili ko ‘yung mga teachers ko, oras ko, kasi alam mo yun, ang hirap kumuha eh, pipila ka eh. Yun yung isa sa mga privileges na na-enjoy ko.

A t-shirt from Diliman Republic commemorating the 1986 Maroons title. Photo taken from InterAKTV.ph

Magsanoc: Noon pa man, maski bata ako nun, naisip ko nun na this could probably be a good starting point para sa mga student-athletes in the future. Finally, maiintindihan ng mga professors na una, meron naman palang sports sa UP. Pangalawa, meron naman palang mga student-athletes na pwede namang mag-excel kahit papaano, at saka pangatlo, pwede nilang suportahan at bigyan ng kahit papanong tulong yung mga atleta na estudyante dahil napakahirap mag-aral at maglaro sa UP.

VII. “My agreement with UP was to deliver a championship. And after delivering the championship, I retired from UP.”

Guanio: After ’86, Eric did not play anymore. He wanted to graduate so he pursued his studies. Todo na. Nag-full load na siya.

Altamirano: I still had one more year, pero I decided nga not to play na, to concentrate on my studies na.

Guanio: Joey Mendoza was a graduate na, wala na siya. Duane Salvaterra wala na. Marami. Tatlo nawala.

Paras: Marami nang nawala and then nag-resign si Coach Joe.

Jazmines: Hindi naman, “I resign.” Hindi naman siya gumanun after nanalo, tapos the next day, [nag-resign]. May kaunting [pagitan].

Lipa: My agreement with UP was to deliver a championship. And after delivering the championship, I retired from UP.

Paras: And then, naging iba na yung sistema, kumbaga parang hindi na ganun kaganda yung pag-co-coach.

Magsanoc: Bumalik pa kami. Naglaro pa ako ng isa pang taon.

Guanio: We were doing well with Ronnie, Ronnie Magsanoc, ako, si Benjie, and the rest of the guys, we were doing well during the season. Si Coach Joe na naman yung naging coach ng national team, tapos nagpa-tryouts sila, tapos nakuha kami. So tatlo kaming nawala: ako, si Benjie, tsaka si Ronnie. We were all included in the national team during the UAAP season.

Magsanoc: Eventually, the scheduling derailed us because there were several games that were scheduled na wala kami, we were in the Southeast Asian Games, but that was no excuse.

Guanio: During that time, we incurred losses that were crucial to our standings. So ang nangyari nun, I think Ateneo was the host that year. May mga games na na-schedule na wala kami. I think that year natalo kami sa NU. Because of the stint in the national team, na-compromise yung standings natin. So ‘di tayo nakapasok.

Lipa: I think they got third place during the 1987 season.

Guanio: The format was top two. Wala namang final four. If there had been a final four, okay sana. Tapos I remember there was a game, we were coming from the SEA games from Indonesia, on that same day, we had a game against Adamson. So, pag-uwi namin, pagdating sa airport, we had to rush sa Rizal Memorial. Ronnie was sick because of the trip from Indonesia, we lost that game. Crucial din ‘yon. So I think we lost two when we were not here, tapos one when we arrived. So yun ang nangyari.

Paras: I played for three years, and then I turned pro.

VIII. “It’s easily ten years behind now compared to programs of other schools.”

Lipa: I would say that the UP program [today] is on the right track. I would say that they are up tuned with the equipment landscape. But as far as the program of UP is concerned, I think it’s easily ten years behind now compared to programs of other schools. Because all other schools like La Salle, FEU, and Ateneo, they have good recruits which would last them for the next eight years, or maybe six years, while UP only started recruiting well only last year.

Magsanoc: I think it all boiled down to understanding that it was so tough to get there, so you might not be able to go there anymore. So you hold on to the belief that you have to make the most out of it, because for all you know you will not be able to go there again. In the last 25 years UP has not been there again.

This article was first posted in InterAKTV.ph.

The 1986 UP Fighting Maroons celebrate their championship. Photo taken from InterAKTV.ph

When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, it will have been another year of futility for the UP Fighting Maroons. It has been 25 years since the State University won a championship in the UAAP, and with the way things are going, it might take another 25 years before the UP squad wins the big one again.

The year 1986 seems so many lifetimes ago. It was certainly a different era, far removed from today’s commercialized collegiate basketball scene, where the next generation of hoop stars are recruited — some would say coddled — years before they step into a college campus. Back then, the players recruited each other to play for school pride, instead of perks and allowances.

It was a simpler time, but some things never change. The UP Fighting Maroons were contenders for the crown prior to winning the championship, but could not get over the hump, simply because they were a “donut” team missing a center. Enter freshman sensation Benjie Paras. But there was more to the story than meets the eye.

How big a deal was the Fighting Maroons’ championship? The Philippine Daily Inquirer editorial the next morning dealt with the school’s victory. Louie Beltran, then the paper’s editor-in-chief, penned the piece himself. UP has produced Presidents, Chief Justices, Chiefs of Staff, and even Communist and Moro rebel leaders, Beltran wrote, but the school never produced a champion basketball team until the 1986 UP Fighting Maroons. Here is their story in their own words.

I. “Lumakas yung loob namin kasi parang we feel we could now compete with the other teams.”

Joe Lipa (Head Coach): I started coaching UP, if I’m not mistaken, 1981. In my first year, it was a really bad season. Out of the nine games, we won three. But in the second year, I think we played in the championship, that was in 1982, and then in 1983, we also played in the championship. And twice we lost.

Ronnie Magsanoc (4th Year Guard): ’83 ang student number ko nun e. Pumasok kami sa finals nung first year ko.

Eric Altamirano (4th Year Guard): I remember we were up by 10 points, last two minutes against UE, all to lose by one point. Sa sakit, talagang na-remember ko yun. Naghanda na sila [UP president Edgardo] Angara ng pagkain sa Vinzons Hall, puro lechon, lahat walang kumain nun. Walang nakakain sa sobrang sama ng loob.

Magsanoc: We did not do too well in the next two years.

Lipa: There was a newly-organized Open PABL [Philippine Amateur Basketball League], organized by Ambassador Danding Cojuangco, and there were two categories: the commercial level and the collegiate level. To have a tougher competition [before the 1986 season], we participated in the commercial division where we landed fourth. Our sponsor I think during that time was Converse.

Altamirano: At that time, sina Samboy Lim yung mga kalaban namin, sina Jojo Lastimosa, who were already, at that time, named players na. They were almost in the caliber of PBA players. And na-notice ko lang parang we were holding our own, parang, “Wow, nakakasabay tayo sa mga ‘to ah.” We almost beat those teams. So we felt we were prepared coming to the UAAP.

Magsanoc: We always worked hard, believing that somehow we will get that breakthrough opportunity to make it all the way. But I don’t think anybody expected the Maroons to make it to the finals or win the championship, simply because the school has not had any record [of winning] for nearly 50 years.

Lipa: A lot of people, including me, were confident that the UP team would be very, very competitive that year, because for the first time, we had a complete line-up.

Joey Guanio (1st Year Forward): Si Ronnie and Eric were there to lead the team because they were veterans. Joey Mendoza, he was a veteran already. He would keep everything relaxed. It’s a good mix of veterans and rookies that year, the ’86 team.

Lipa: Joey Mendoza was there, he played power forward and center. Joey Guanio, Primo Rodriguez, Choi Mendoza, Duane Salvaterra, Chris Somera, Bobby Noriega, Ramil Cruz – they played a very important role in that ’86 team

Altamirano: We felt confident lang nung year na yun, kasi for the first time, nagkaroon na kami ng legitimate center, si Benjie Paras. Yun yung first year niya, so parang lumakas na yung loob namin kasi parang we feel we could now compete with the other teams. Kasi laging problema ng UP sentro e.

Lipa: We did not recruit [players for the Maroons], they came into UP. Benjie Paras was being pirated heavily during that time by almost all schools.

Altamirano: Actually it was a concerted effort on our part, kami-kami mismo nagtutulungan mag-recruit sa bawat isa eh. I remember, before us, may mga San Beda [high school] players na ring nag-UP, so when we were in high school, sila naman yung nanliligaw sa amin, “O sama-sama tayo dito ha.” So pumunta kami ng UP. So nung time naman namin na nasa UP kami, kami naman yung nanliligaw kay Benjie, “O, Benj, sama-sama tayo dito ha.” So in essence, kami talaga yung nag-recruit sa bawat isa (laughs). Kasi I don’t think the school can do that for us eh, dahil, wala naman… except for academics, diba? Wala namang maibibigay sa amin yung school na, kasi wala namang funds ang school noon.

Guanio: Yung gym na yun, kung ano yung itsura nung 1986, ganon pa rin ang itsura ngayon. Yung basketball ring na isang mababa, isang mataas. Ganon pa rin yun eh.

Benjie Paras (1st Year Center): All of my teammates in UP, the first five, they all graduated from San Beda. Me, Ronnie Magsanoc, Eric Altamirano, Joey Mendoza and Duane Salvaterra. We all came from San Beda.

Magsanoc: You have to remember that recruitment in the new millennium, it’s very different from the recruitment dati, so I don’t think there’s any point of comparison between before and now in terms of recruitment. At naniniwala ako na yung mga players at that time ang pumili, it was their choice to go to that school. Not because of what they were getting, because they were not getting anything compared to now, but because they wanted to go to a good school.

Paras: Actually when I talked to other schools, the ones who talked to me are the coaches. Kaya lang, UP coaches talked to me, [but also] players and alumni. And yun nga, I was convinced that this is the school for me, na I will fit in. Not really the school na hinahanap ko yung magandang offer. Will I be happy in this school, will I fit in, will I excel in this team, yun ang hinahanap ko.

Guanio: When we arrived there, they were very warm. Sobra. Parang, “Tagal na namin kayong hinihintay, mabubuo na tayo.” Parang ganun yung feeling eh. So when we were there, after the first and second practices, immediately, we felt like we are a part of the team. So that was a big factor for us being rookies coming out of high school. That was a big thing for us na to be accepted right away in the team.

Lipa: We met once and I told [Paras] that we have a good all-around education in UP, and second, it will be my personal commitment that I will do everything within my capacity to make him the best center in the land.

Paras: Comparing UP to other schools, UP for me is still number one. I will play, I will benefit from playing, and at the same time I will benefit from studying, from graduating from that school.

Magsanoc: Basketball was a tool that enabled players including myself, to give themselves the chance of finding good education or the best education possible. It just so happens na nabiyayaan kami na may skill kami na maglaro, pero it all boils down to getting the best education possible and being rewarded as a successful student-athlete eventually.

II. “Kapag sinabi ni Coach Joe na one-minute break, takbuhan na kami sa banyo, kanya-kanyang inom yan sa gripo.”

Magsanoc: I needed to wake up at 5 a.m. kasi ang practice namin [sa national team] sa Rizal [Memorial Coliseum] 6 a.m. Pagkatapos ng practice ng 6 to 8, tatakbo ako sa UP, wala naman akong sasakyan, mag-bu-bus ako. Pagdating ko sa UP, maglalaro pa ako sa isang commercial team, so aalis na naman ako sa UP pupunta naman ako sa practice ng commercial team. Tapos aalis naman ako sa commercial team, tatakbo ako para pumasok ako, tapos magpa-practice ako sa UP. Natutulog nga ako sa banyo ng UP e. Halimbawa yung practice 6 p.m., I come in 5:30 p.m., matutulog muna ko ng 30 minutes. Tapos after ng practice sa UP, uuwi na ko kasi kinabukasan kailangan ko gumising nang maaga.

Altamirano: I have three practices in one day. So I practice for the UP team, for my PABL team, and then for the national team, so talagang it was really challenging, but I made sure I never neglected my studies. So, siguro I counted in my fingers yung mga na-drop ko o na-singko ko, meaning konti lang yun, I made sure na I was very conscious of that. Mahirap talaga.

Guanio: Pero ‘pag inisip mo how cooperative the teachers were, the professors were… of course, talagang may mga hindi mo makakausap. Pero there were some na talagang naiinitindihan ka naman. Gaya nung History namin, yung Philippine History, mahilig sa basketball, mababait yung mga professors. Yung Spanish nga kasi minsan bading yung mga professors, so kakalibitin mo lang, lalandi-landiin mo lang. Mga ganun. Pero, you learn to balance eh.

Paras: [Sometimes] I need to talk to the professors to give me special projects. O kaya they will give me one exam and they will multiply it by four, kung ilan yung kailangan. So mababait naman, yung iba very considerate. Yung iba naman hindi, so kailangan mong tiyagain.

Guanio: We had a player, Primo Rodriguez, who is now a professor in UP Los Banos.

Altamirano: Si Primo Rodriguez, siya yung pinaka-smart sa amin. Meron kaming exam sa Economics and I had to ask Coach Joe Lipa kung pwedeng, “Coach, pa-excuse po muna si Primo tsaka ako ah, mag-aaral lang kami, tuturuan lang ako.” Talagang, “Tututuran lang ako, may exam ako sa Economics, I need to pass that.” So in-excuse kami ni Coach Joe, punta kami sa bahay ni Primo, tapos meron siyang study group, siya nagturo. Imagine four books yung in-explain sa akin ni Primo, and totoo naman, pumasa ako dun sa Econ exam because of him.

Guanio: Our practices would range from 6 o’clock to 8:30 p.m. So after 8:30, wala pa nga kaming mga cooler-cooler, kapag sinabi ni Coach Joe na one-minute break, takbuhan na kami sa banyo, kanya-kanyang inom yan sa gripo. Yun lang, yun ang tubig namin. So after nun, wala kaming food. Yung ngayon, yung mga players ngayon, after ng practice may pagkain pa sila, di ba? Pero noon kanya-kanyang uwi. Oh sige, go, ba-bye na. Huddle na tapos, “Bukas ensayo natin, 6 o’clock.”

Magsanoc: Mahirap talaga. It came to a point na maiiyak ka na talaga, pero anak-mahirap ako, yun lang ang kaya ko. It was also basketball that saved me and funded my studies dahil nga naglalaro ako. Pero swerte dahil it prepared us for the life ahead. Siguro kung ‘di ako nahirapan ng ganun, di ko ma-a-appreciate kung ano ang meron ako. So thankful ako. I would never change anything na pinaghirapan namin.

III. “Halos every practice naman nasisigawan ako nun. Lagi akong pinapahiya, hanggang sa kumbaga yung malabas ko yung galit ko during the game.”

Chito De La Vega (Inquirer Sports Reporter): Si Joe Lipa sikat na noon, at noon pa lang, kinukumpara na siya kay Bobby Knight.

Altamirano: Coach Joe was really ahead of his time sa coaching, so, kumbaga, yung ginagawa namin, pag sa tingin ng ibang tao, “Ano ba ‘to, weird naman ‘tong mga ginagawa nitong mga players na ‘to, yung team na ‘to.” But at that time, it was something new, so si Coach Joe was able to bring that sa Philippine basketball. So he introduced that early, and eventually, the other teams copied him already, and you know, was able to do what he was doing. Yun lang ang advantage namin, we were coached by a very intelligent coach.

Guanio: Si Coach Joe talagang disciplinarian. Tapos talagang mahirap magpa-ensayo. Hard-nosed, kasi ang laki ng ilong nun eh.

Paras: He is a good coach. He will be mean to you, kaya lang yung pagiging mean niya is for you to improve. Ako naman, alam niya yung potential ko, kaya he made effort to maximize the talent that I got, na mailabas ko. Patatapangin ka niya. Kasi let’s face it, basketball is a physical sport. Hindi pwede yung mabait ka rin dun. So kailangan, you need to be tough. May mga co-players na walang gagawin kundi asarin ka, saktan ka, and you need to be ready. It’s not all the time na you will receive ganung klaseng paninira. May time na kailangan mong bumawi.

Guanio: Si Benjie, Bondying ang tawag dyan [ni Coach Joe]. Eh nung time kasi nun, parang ang laki-laki pero bo-bondying-bondying.

Paras: Halos every practice naman nasisigawan ako nun. Lagi akong pinapahiya, hanggang sa kumbaga yung malabas ko yung galit ko during the game.

Magsanoc: [Coach Joe] was a mentor and a teacher to all of us. And he opened the doors to a lot of realities in life for all of us, and we are indebted to him eternally dahil he catered to all of us to be given the privilege sa paglalaro and at the same time find our mark sa UP.

IV. “Parang talo na kami, talo na kami.”

Magsanoc: Ang malalakas nun ang UE, Adamson, FEU. Yung tatlong yun ang laging teams to beat.

Paras: Mga first few games namin, we won, so yun na yung nagpataas ng morale nung team.

Guanio: Minsan may mga supporters na magpapakain. ‘Pag wala, uwian na. Ganun lang, walang gimik, walang mga recovery sessions, walang mga spa. “Uwi na kayo!” Bahala na kayo. Kita-kita na lang bukas sa ensayo.

Paras: During the game against UE, we lost, nung first round. Tapos during the second round naman we lost against UST, so parang nagkaroon kami ng a little doubt ‘cause pag na-straight ng UE, they will win the championship. Kaya lang they lost against FEU, so yun nagkaroon kami ng chance ‘cause we need to play a knockout game against FEU.

Guanio: We had so many obstacles that year because Eric and Ronnie were included in the Philippine team lineup for the Asian Games. So when they were there, iniwan kami dito. Coach Joe had to go with them also because he was the coach of the national team. So what happened was some of the UAAP games, Adamson, NU yata, we had to play without Ronnie, without Eric, who were our number one and two point guards at that time. To add to that, wala pa si Coach Joe.

Lipa: I didn’t consider it an obstacle, but I think a blessing in disguise was when our players left for the Asian Games, last minute, to Seoul, Korea. And we missed three games. And when we came back, number one was UE, and we were tied with FEU at second place. And we had to play a knock-out match against FEU to have a privilege to play against UE in the championship.

Guanio: We had to go through a bakbakan with FEU… [we thought] FEU won the game already. So they were freezing the ball, iniikot na lang yung bola para maubos yung time.

Lipa: With eight seconds to go, FEU had possession of the ball and we were behind one point.

Altamirano: Parang talo na kami, talo na kami.

Guanio: For some reason, nag-crosscourt pass yung isang player nila.

Paras: Si Ramil Cruz yung nakaagaw nung bola. And he’s not a point guard, forward siya, so awkward pag-dribble niya.

Altamirano: And then he went all the way for the basket, for us to win the game. So yun yung parang, wow, talagang sigawan, everybody was, parang, if we had lost the game, that was it for us. So nobody remembers that, but we do.

Lipa: That steal is one of the best things that happened to the UP team. It was almost forgotten, but Ramil was a real hero during that time.

In Part 2: How the UP Fighting Maroons brought down Jerry Codiñera and the vaunted UE Red Warriors.

This article was first posted in InterAKTV.ph.