Tribute to excellence

It was a solid, well-coordinated team of eight individuals that quickly produced a handsome coffee-table book titled 5: A Tribute to Excellence, which was launched with much fanfare last Friday at the Ayala Museum.

Several hundred Ateneans were on hand — representing several generations exercising bragging rights over this latest accomplishment — the subject of the book, that is, as well as the book itself.

A corps of Blue Eagles signed hundreds of copies — this after the Blue Babble raised the stakes with a rousing performance, alumni stalwarts Arben Santos and Rico Agcaoili as well as 5-peat player Nico Salva and 5-peat coach Norman Black delivered brief remarks, and writer Rick Olivares read a condensed version of his Prologue to the pulse-pounding narrative of UAAP Season 76 last year, when collegiate basketball history was recorded with Ateneo’s fifth straight championship.

Over 40 photographs by Philip Sison, chosen from among some 200 used in the riveting book designed by Franco Rodrigo Sevilla, were on blown-up display at the venue.

Conceptual ringleader Arben announced a raffle and an auction of the gorgeous photos, whereupon excellent Manny O wines kept the Fabilioh crowd in fabulous good cheer through the stand-up repast provided by Via Mare, until glasses were traded for cups filled with the fine brew that is Atenean Lorie Reyes’ Roaster Juan artisanal coffee.

MTRCB chair Atty. Toto Villareal also rendered remarks before an announcement was made on the availability of a set of DVDs featuring the 5-peat champs’ Finals games. A large video screen projected these, too.

And so a fun night was had by everyone, all of whom came away with copies of a collectible — 260 pages in full color of the historic 5-peat process, bound together with a special hard cover whose surface simulated that of a basketball.

The idea was hatched only early this year. Shipping magnate Arben conceived of the book as a tribute, as well as a fund-raiser for his alumni group AdMU 616569 Foundation, which rigorously helps out in providing Ateneo scholarships.

Arben was instrumental in fashioning an effective basketball program before the 1990s ended, for the purpose of ending a long drought as far as a UAAP title was concerned.

Together with Fr. Tito Caluag SJ and with the full support of then AdMU President Fr. Ben Nebres SJ and premier patron Manny V. Pangilinan or “MVP,” the former multi-sports Atenean athlete established a model program that emphasized continuity and discipline, even as the top prize that is an Ateneo education remained of the essence.

Early last January, Arben Santos — who is also known to have personally recruited the high-flying Rich Alvarez and subsequently the game-changer LA Tenorio — gathered together his “first five” to compose a book production team.

Rick Olivares — an Atenean since grade school and the Blue Eagles’ de facto chronicler on Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. and his highly popular blogsite, bleachers brew — was assigned to write the blow-by-blow narrative that culminated in the fifth consecutive championship in 2012.

Complementing his sports prose would be the excellent photographic documentation for over a decade by Atenean Philip Sison, who has provided the Ateneo community with some of the most memorable photographs of the Blue Eagles in action.

This writer, an Atenean by choice and osmosis as a student thence a professorial lecturer in Loyola Heights for over 12 years, and who has long been a partner of Arben’s in covert action ranging from sports concepts and proposals to successful electoral campaigns, was tasked to serve as Executive Editor.

And in a lucky stroke, with only a couple of months left before the scheduled launch, drawn in as Book Designer was full-blooded Atenean Franco Rodrigo Sevilla, of Classes 1977/81/85. Former art director and creative consultant of major advertising agencies, and currently a freelance video director and graphic designer as “Chief Dreammaker” of AwesomeLab Inc., Franco had designed the Ateneo 140 years and Sesquicentennial (150 years) logos.

Rounding up this production theme was coordinator Addie Sullivan, Ateneo grad and loving partner to Blue Eagle Jobe Nkemakolam, who hasn’t taken off his 2008 championship ring since it happened to slide around his ring finger.

Countless working meetings hosted by Arben’s loving wife Celda Teopaco Santos, the Blue Eagles’ No. 1 rooter, eventually brought in Joey Arzadon San Juan, head honcho of The House Printers, unarguably the best Philippine printing company. Abiding by his son’s loyalty as an Ateneo student, Joey gave the project his all as a creative partner, ensuring the special 3-D cover and the book’s exquisite look that certainly draws a wow.

The text for the front flap of the lovely dust jacket reads:

“The AdMU 616569 Foundation offers this book as vivid memory and humbling tribute. 

 â€œBy way of detailed narrative and comprehensive photo coverage, herein related is the phenomenal rise of the  

Ateneo de Manila University’s Blue Eagles basketball team — resulting in the historic ‘five-peat’ accomplished in UAAP Season 75: five consecutive championships from 2008 to 2012.

“This documentation of a remarkable feat should inspire future generations of Ateneans, apart from instilling invaluable lessons on the value of hard work and determination. 

 â€œâ€™Student first, athlete second’ was the motto followed when AdMU’s model basketball program was initiated in 1999.  

“The five-peat reflects the glory that not only rewards the discipline and devotion required of athletes, but also affirms the principle of striving for excellence that is ingrained in all Ateneans.” 

In his message, AdMU president Fr. Jett Villarin SJ offers:

“Five straight championships of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP from 2007 to 2012 are a rare feat. …It is even more remarkable for a team whose members change every year, and who have to do a difficult balancing act between the rigorous demands of the sport and of academic performance at the Ateneo de Manila.

 â€œâ€¦ On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila, I thank the Class of Ateneo Grade School 1961–High School 1965–College 1969 for doing this tribute to excellence done and lived the Ateneo way. We have an intimate knowledge of the wellspring from which we draw this drive to run the race, excel, and lead in whatever field we find ourselves in. In Domino, ultimately, is where we draw inspiration and power. To be lux in Domino, a gracious feat and calling, is to be who we ultimately are.”

And now, for a taste of the superb narrative, here are excerpts from author Olivares’ entry for “Chapter 20: A Fitting End to The Drive for Five”: 

“Thursday, October 11, 2012, Smart Araneta Coliseum

“The rock was pounded inside immediately, with Blue Eagle center Greg Slaughter abusing his counterpart, Karim Abdul.

“It was a game where Ateneo’s championship poise and experience served them in good stead. They ratcheted up the intensity and forced turnovers. Kiefer Ravena hit a high-arching three-pointer over Jeric Teng for a 13-6 lead with four minutes to play in the first canto.

“UST back-up point guard, Kim Lo, hardly a scoring threat all season long, drilled back-to-back triples to get his side back in the game, 13-12. Then he drove hard for a layup to give UST a 14-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

“Ateneo opened the second period with a mini-run behind Justin Chua and Tonino Gonzaga to re-take the lead at 18-14. From there both teams traded runs to end the low-scoring first half knotted at 29-all.

“… Ravena countered a Tigers’ twinner with a three-point play off Kevin Ferrer for a 47-42 lead, but Fortuna hit a free throw and a triple off the window to close out the quarter, 47-46. The Blue Eagles had held up even without the foul-plagued Greg Slaughter.

“Fortuna hit another triple to open the last quarter. He appeared to have found his rhythm. Ateneo immediately attacked the interior, with Ravena getting the lead back for Ateneo with an and-one off Afuang, 50-49. Ravena, Oping Sumalinog, and Slaughter added a series of free throws to make it 55-49.

“Mariano scored, but Slaughter dunked in a miss, 57-51 with seven minutes to play and UST already in penalty. The Ateneo center muscled his way inside for a lay-in off the window, 59-51. But UST mounted one last run as Abdul forced a fourth foul on Slaughter. Without Ateneo’s big man on the floor, UST went on a 5-0 blitz to come within three, 59-56.

“Slaughter was fielded back and hit a free throw, 60-56. Teng scored on an offensive rebound with a little over two minutes left, but Tiongson retaliated with a floater, 62-58, time down to 1:12.

“The Tigers were whistled for a five-second inbound violation. It was a painful one, considering that they were out of timeouts. Ateneo could have closed out UST at that point, but Slaughter converted only one of two free throws, 63-58.

“Driving in desperately, Teng was fouled, but made only one charity, 63-59, 48 seconds left. Ravena hit a pull-up jumper, 65-59, 30 ticks to go. Fortuna sank a three-ball from the left corner, 65-62, with 24 seconds left.

“Ateneo had an opportunity to pad the lead, but Tiongson wilted from the line and missed two free throws. With 7.7 seconds left, UST got the ball back. Tiongson atoned for his earlier misses by stealing a Bautista pass to Fortuna, sealing the Tigers’ fate. He dribbled out the remaining seconds, then lofted the ball high up in the air to signal the celebration.

“The Drive for Five was complete.”

A minimum donation of P3,000 to AdMU 616569 Foundation entitled donors to a copy of 5: A Tribute to Excellence during the launch. Post-launch, the price goes up to P4,000. For reservations, call Cherry 521-5593.