YEO THE MAN!

Yeo still the man! Another Herculean performance for Xavier’s pride and what a season it has been for him," as it’s aptly written on greenarchers.net. Truly, what a season it has been for Joseph Henry Lim Yeo, "Ninja," as he’s now famously called. Yeo, who recently turned 20 last September 7, has been playing basketball since he was four years old. Yeo and his heroics recently led the Archers in its final game against the Blue Eagles with a total of 26 points and five rebounds and was catapulted into the public eye as one of the Philippine’s most talented young athletes. Despite losing and not getting into the Finals, Yeo’s spirits remain high and is confident that they will win back the UAAP crown before he and Macmac Cardona leave DLSU.

I have been a die-hard Blue Eagle fan ever since the first day I stepped foot on the Ateneo. And yet, on the dawn of my 2nd year of college, the traitor in me decided to rise up and show itself. To the amusement of family and friends, I became one of the first few Ateneans who would sit on the Green Archer side to watch UAAP basketball games without fail, be it during DLSU vs. Ateneo games. Naturally, during those occasions, I’d wear blue and root for my team but still – I sat on the green side. The cause? Joseph Yeo. He entered the Green Archers.

Like countless others, I am a fan of Yeo. I’ve probably been rooting for him longer than any of the other fans. I admit that considering my entire family’s devotion to basketball, my level of knowledge regarding the sport is still embarrassingly much closer to zero than it should be. However, this doesn’t prevent me from recognizing real talent when I see it. And yes, I believe that Yeo has done more than enough to prove himself as "the true blooded sportsman who’s a real visual spectacle in court and was born to play basketball," as he was described seven years ago in grade school.

Green Archers coach Franz Pumaren himself adds, "Joseph is one talented player. In fact, as early as third year high school he has been practicing with the team. We saw him play with a lot of heart and leadership in the final four and I’m real proud of how Joseph has stepped up in his games."

Yeo has come a long way from the little kid whom I always saw getting into trouble and playing basketball with one of my dearest and favorite cousins, Denden. In many ways, he hasn’t changed. He’s still this boy who’s always getting into trouble and playing basketball with Denden. However well-meaning this charming hell-raiser Yeo may be, infinite scrapes and misadventures always seem to beckon him. Tough-looking on the exterior, soft on the inside is how the Ninja is described by his mom. "Mahiyain talaga si Joseph. Lagi ko nga sinasabi na mambati siya ng tao kahit hindi niya kilala kasi baka isipin ng iba na mayabang siya."

For better or worse, Yeo has always been passionate about all that he believes in – be it basketball, friends, family, or his girlfriend. As his friends say, "Si Yeo — matakaw, laging nakaporma, sobrang okay maging kaibigan, pero lagot ka kung siya ang kaaway mo." Three years into college, Yeo still loves to hang out with his high school barkada – Ivan Vera Cruz, Oliver Gan, Denden Coyiuto, Albert Dichavez, Brian Go – to name a few. At times it may seem that Yeo’s entire life revolves around basketball, but he believes that the sport itself has taught him so many things. Below are some thoughts Yeo wrote in his high school yearbook:

"Change is like a bouncing ball because sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down, and sometimes there just isn’t any air left to make it bounce. But once you pump it, it’s brand new and goes on bouncing.

Actually, when you think about it, change does not only involve the up and down motion of the ball but it also involves the whole basketball game, the different factors affecting it. The coach (parents, teachers), my teammates (friends), my opponents (the problems I face), the crowd (people who judge if what I’m doing is right or wrong), the basket (my goal and the acceptance of whatever outcome) all contribute to the changes in my life. And in the end, it will depend on me if I will keep bouncing and going on playing or if I will just let the air out."

However, as the old adage goes, not all that glitters is gold. As it always is when anyone excels at something and is thrust into the limelight – there are many downsides to fame. People talk behind your back, and rumors are exaggerated beyond description. In this interview, Yeo brings to light many of the truths and so-called truths about him.

Young StAr: Share something not a lot of people know about you.

Not a lot of people know that I’m sensitive and realize that I have feelings, too.

What’s your typical weekend night like?

My typical weekend night is having dinner with my friends and our girlfriends. (Mom says he’s the ma-gimmick type.)

What’s your idea of a romantic date?

It would be a candlelight dinner by the beach.

How many are the siblings in the family? Do you experience sibling rivalry?

I have three brothers and three little sisters. I don’t experience sibling rivalry. Sarap lang lokohin ’yung pinakamaliit kong kapatid, si Nicole.

Your sister says you’re a very quiet and shy guy, is this true?

I’m usually quiet when I’m with my family but I’m the opposite when I’m with friends.

Do you have a girlfriend right now?

Yes, Mia Banzon.

How do you court a girl?

I don’t usually court a girl. I just make her "kulit" and make her feel special by doing her favors.

What’s your type of girl?

Pretty chinita and petite girls with good personalities.

Did you have childhood idols while growing up?

Yes, Vergel Meneses, a seven-time PBA All-Star and one of the PBA’s greatest players.

Who was your biggest influence to play basketball?

My dad.

How did you get into this sport?

My dad enrolled me into the MILO basketball clinic when I was four years old. Back then, MILO gave great training to aspiring players.

What’s your fondest memory about your days in Xavier?

Our "kalokohan" inside the classroom and the "asaran."

What’s your worst memory of Xavier?

When I was not allowed to play basketball for a while because my grades were low.

What’s the sweetest thing you’ve done ever for someone?

When I surprised my girlfriend during her 19th birthday. I took her to a fancy restaurant then got a violinist and guitarist to play for us. I gave her a necklace which she found on the dessert plate.

What are your plans after graduation? Do you plan to play basketball professionally?

I still don’t have any definite plans. I’d love to play basketball professionally. If not, I might put up my own business.

Are you close to your fellow Xavierian teammates right now?

Yes.

What’s one misconception about you that you’d like to erase?

I’m not really "maangas." It’s just my way of defending myself because I don’t allow others to put me down.

What are your other hobbies besides basketball?

I also play golf and badminton.

What’s your greatest strength?

I’m close to God.

What do you think you have to improve on right now?

My self-control. Sometimes I get carried away by my emotions or I forget my responsibilities.

How do you feel about the Green Archers not making it to the final two?

I feel bad, of course. But I’m glad that our team was able to make it to the final four because that was our expectation during the start of the season since we are just a rookie team.

Who is your best friend among the Green Archers?

Macmac Cardona.

Have you ever experienced being called or felt like people whispering, "Uy, si Yeo!" while walking inside the mall or any public place?

Yes. (Mom recounts that when the Archers won against the Eagles, and Joseph and his friends were celebrating in a restaurant, a parent came and asked for Yeo’s signature. "Hiyang hiya nga si Joseph eh.")

Which other schools tried to recruit you after high school? Was it a "dream come true" for you to play for La Salle?

Other schools from the NCAA also recruited me but ever since grade school I wanted to play for DLSU.

Ever been roughed- or trash-talked in your basketball career? If so, how do you respond?

Yes, sometimes I don’t mind them. But if it’s too much already I tell them bad stuff as well (laughing).

Ever got scolded by Coach Franz Pumaren?

Yes, a lot of times!

Do you ever get to log on the Internet and check out the various UAAP devoted sites or even fan sites such as Joseph Yeo online?

Sometimes.

Who is your favorite existing UAAP player?

None.

What sport are you lousiest at?

Swimming.

What do you feel towards the Blue Eagle team right now?

I think that they’re an experienced team.

What would make you get mad on court?

When the opponent plays roughly and the referee makes bad calls.

What were some of your most memorable games?

The 65th season, second round game against UST because I made the three-point shot that tied our score with UST and sent the game to overtime.

What are some of your embarrassing scenes on court?

When I get blocked by opponents and people start shouting bad things that sometimes affect my confidence.

When you get discouraged, what motivates you to go on?

I just pray and hope that things will get better.

What did you dream of becoming when you were growing up?

To be a basketball player.

Nagkatotoo nga.

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For comments or suggestions, e-mail the author at steniecoyiuto@yahoo.com.