Icon of Cebu volleyball

Today, the Cebu volleyball community bids farewell to one of its most prominent members – coach Eugene de la Cerna of the University of San Carlos.

Sir Eugene passed away late last Saturday night losing his bout with diabetes. This 1 p.m. there will be a Requiem Mass to be followed by the cremation at 3 p.m.

I am writing this column several hours before his former players and friends held a necrological service. Tomorrow, the group will be honoring Sir Eugene with a day-long activity at the USC Gymnasium.

The officers of the Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) led by Glenn Anthony Soco, a former player of Sir Eugene, are spearheading the Sunday activity.

Sir Eugene will definitely be missed. 

* * *

I have known Sir Eugene since I was in high school and have seen him at the volleyball tournaments when I was in college until I became a sportswriter.

My first impression of him was that he was a no-nonsense coach, who wanted his players to do things right, inside and outside the court.

Although I and a few of my high school teammates never had plans to study at USC, we actually went to the USC Gym one morning to join the tryouts.

Only one of us managed to finish the drills while one-by-one we had to stop realizing that we were not up to the standards.

When I became actively involved in volleyball, it was when I saw another side of Sir Eugene, he was a father figure to many and although his eyes would easily widen when he doesn’t like something, it was his way of telling his wards to toe the line.

Sir Eugene’s contribution to Cebu volleyball and even the national team where some of his players are immense, but he never rested on his laurels.

Among his products are the famous Jao twins – Marilou (now Ramirez) and Marichu (now San Juan).

Glenn shared with me a few nights ago while we were at the wake about how Sir Eugene did not really like his players to go to the national team if they are not ready enough.

He was also a staunch advocate of establishing a regional pool for the national team, which is something that I have also been pushing seeing that many of our athletes, who are uprooted from their hometowns and brought to Manila and get lost due to the bright lights of the Big City.

Sir Eugene would not see the day that his dream will come true, but I am hoping it can happen some day. The regional training of national athletes will definitely be a boost to Philippine sports.

* * *

MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to a man, who has made a major impact in my choice of a profession – Ninong Antonio ‘Tony’ Lopez Aldeguer, Cebu’s boxing patron, who turned a year older last Thursday.

Ninong Tony did not only provide me with sports stories to write when I was a very new journalist, but had also been a source of very useful advice that helped mold me into a better sportswriter and person.

Today’s greetings go to Honda Cebu’s golden boy Nemesio ‘Manoy Tito’ Solomon, Aaron Astor, Anne Paulin-Tabligan and my comare Grace Morelos-Avanzado.

Advance greetings go to tomorrow’s birthday celebrants Rex Alenton, Haideliza Adolfo and Rowena Buot-Alix.

More power to all of you!