One for Larry, one for Ateneo

Some said it was sweet. Others scoffed and declared it as overacting. But even though Larry Fonacier, co-captain and small forward of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, did not play in the basketball game last July 31 at the ULTRA, the Ateneo crowd was cheering for him after their first game since his ACL and MCL injuries.

About a week earlier, Larry’s knee buckled in the middle of the game against the UP Fighting Maroons. As the UP players fumbled for the ball that Larry dropped, he tumbled to the ground, clutching his knee. Ateneo watched in horror as Larry painfully struggled in vain to get up or even straighten his leg. After he was rushed to the hospital, word spread that he had injured his ACL and MCL and that his injuries needed at least six months to heal –which meant he would no longer be able to play during this season.

We were all saddened by the news. Players are only eligible to play for a total of five years, and as Larry is already taking up his Masters in Communication Arts, this is his last year to play for the Blue Eagles.

I admit, I am a huge fan of Larry Fonacier. He has been my favorite player since my freshman year in Ateneo. Standing at 6’3", he has a silent yet commanding presence when he steps onto the court. In the past UAAP seasons, he was already a standout because of his adroit and intelligent skills. Whether he makes the shots or blocks them, he delivers sharply, forcefully, and successfully. Even with big men Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales on the team last year, it was impossible not to notice Larry’s smooth sailing shots and impressive, all-around facility on the court.

This year, he is one of the senior players of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, having played for four years already (not to mention his years as an Ateneo Blue Eaglet back in high school). He’s still as impressive as ever, always showing resilience and steadiness, especially under pressure. More striking, however, is his influence on the Eagles. Over the years he has grown to be a leader, and his teammates always respond to him on the court. He believes in teamwork and is the first one to show that basketball is a team sport, not a one-man show with back-up dancers.

I would always cheer for Ateneo during the UAAP games, but when it came down to cheering for Larry I’d yell until my throat was raw. Seeing him and the rest of the team play was always worth losing my voice for. I knew everyone was working as hard as they could, so it was only right that I screamed, waved, clapped, and jumped.

When I heard that he was injured, I was immediately concerned but I thought he would be fine by the next game. Basketball players endure a lot of injuries over the years and most of them insist on playing despite their injuries. However, I didn’t know that he was going to be out for the rest of the season until my blockmate told me. My heart sank because Larry would completely miss the chance to play as a Blue Eagle on his final year. He has done and given so much during his years in Ateneo, and he could have been Most Valuable Player this season as well. Becoming MVP is one of the most prestigious awards that an athlete can receive, and I think it would have been a fair reward for his efforts, time, leadership, passion, and heart that he poured into each season, each game. Larry had received the title of UAAP Juniors MVP.

But I am happy that even without the title, the Ateneo community showed that he is truly one valuable player –maybe even the most valuable one. People were hardly thinking of the upcoming games. They were concerned about Larry. Was he okay? How fast was he going to recover? Messages of support, encouragement, and thanks came from everywhere. And, as the game last Saturday showed, he is still very much a huge part of the team. The rest of the Blue Eagles had the number 14 sewn on their jerseys, and scattered all over the blue and white crowd were Larry shirts, jerseys and pins.

I can imagine the wrinkled foreheads, raised eyebrows, and skeptic smirks of those who think Ateneans are full of themselves. I can see the thought bubbles above their heads: "And here’s another proud Atenean. Here comes the school spirit speech."

Yes, this article is about school spirit, and I am writing this because I am proud. But before you roll your eyes and turn the page, I promise you that I am not writing this to brag. I am writing this because I’m touched. The past two weeks have taught me more about school spirit than any pep rally ever has. School spirit is not all about prestige or awards or triumphs. It’s about faith and unity. It’s about being there for each other and giving unwavering support at all times. It’s about recognizing the efforts and capabilities of one another. On or off the court, Larry Fonacier is definitely our Most Valuable Player. The dictionary says that the MVP award is given to the player who contributed the most during the season or the finals, or is deemed to be the most important. Though he will not be able to illustrate it with his playing prowess, I believe he has already given and sacrificed so much for Ateneo. He is more than just great basketball. He is a leader and a team player, and his team – the whole Ateneo community – is thankful and full of admiration for him.

I’m going to miss seeing him play as an Eagle, but I know it’s only a matter of time before he’ll be back on the court, clad in a new basketball jersey (PBA?) and plowing through other players the way our Silent Assassin only can. Now that he’s nursing his knee back to health, I hope he knows that while we’re cheering for Ateneo, we’re also cheering for him.