Reunion at San Miguel

It’s not widely known that San Miguel Beer import Terquin Tuva Mott and Fil-Am Dorian Alan Peña were varsity teammates at Coppin State in Baltimore for two years. Coincidentally, another Fil-Am–Rafi Reavis of Coca-Cola–was also on coach Ron (Fang) Mitchell’s squad when Mott and Peña toured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Peña and Reavis broke into Mitchell’s lineup as rookies in 1995-96–which was also Mott’s first season at Coppin State. Mott began his collegiate career at La Salle but left the Explorers campus after a misunderstanding with coach Bill Morris in 1994.

With Mott and Peña in the roster, the Eagles posted a 22-9 record and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 1996-97. The season was a high point in Coppin State’s history. Fans were treated to a string of unforgettable games. Against Maryland-Eastern Shore, the Eagles clawed back from 19 points down with 16 minutes left to win, 90-88, in overtime. And in the battle for the MEAC crown, Coppin State beat North Carolina A&T, 81-74, in extension.

In the NCAA tournament, Coppin State shocked the Southeastern Conference titlist South Carolina, 78-65, in the opening round. The victory was the first by an MEAC school in the NCAA in 17 years. The Eagles, however, failed to capitalize on the momentum and lost an 82-81 heartbreaker to Texas in the second round to finish a win short of a Sweet 16 spot. The Eagles blew a chance to score when Texas stole an inbounds pass with five seconds to go.

Mott averaged 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds that year–his second and last at Coppin State. He also collected 38 blocked shots, 60 assists, and 49 steals to clinch All-MEAC honors.

In contrast, Peña’s numbers were far from significant. He scored only 15 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in 16 games. As a sophomore, Peña was considered a diamond in the rough. After all, he started playing hoops only as a junior at Lackey High School in Indian Head, Maryland. Peña’s priority sport was football–where he stood out at Lackey–but he decided to concentrate on basketball in college. By the way, Reavis averaged 1.0 point and 2.1 rebounds that season.

Peña earned a lot more minutes in his final two years with Mott gone. In 1997-98, he averaged 4.6 points and shot .469 from the field. And as a senior the next campaign, Peña netted 8.4 points an outing. Coppin State claimed its ninth MEAC regular season title in 10 years with a 14-4 mark.

Peña, 24, found his way to the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) from Coppin State and later moved to San Miguel in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

As for Mott, he’s been around. In 1991, he led Glenn Mills High School to the Pennsylvania Class 4-A title as a junior prepster. Then, he averaged 20.1 points and 9.8 rebounds as a senior. Mott enrolled at La Salle as a freshman, gaining 15 starts in 25 games. He hit at a 6.2 clip and buried the decisive basket that lifted La Salle to a 73-72 decision over Detroit Mercy.

In the summer before his sophomore season, Mott was arrested for burglary on the La Salle campus. That led to his suspension for four games when the campaign started. Although Mott raised his scoring norm to 10.6 points, he was yanked in and out of Morris’ doghouse. Mott couldn’t get along with Morris and the Explorers’ lowly 11-16 record triggered his departure for greener pastures. Mott sat out the 1994-95 season to establish residence at Coppin State.

Mott, 28, has come close to playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Someday, he’ll make it. His basic problem is lack of ceiling. Mott stands less that 6-8 and weighs about 250 pounds. At his height, Mott will be outsized as a power forward in the NBA. Because of his bulk, he’ll be outstepped at small forward. But if Anthony Mason could play over 10 years in the NBA, surely there’s room for Mott in the majors. Mott’s got more range than Mason on his shot and he’s probably feistier.

Mott has seen action in Spain and the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). In 1999, he flew in to power San Miguel to the Commissioner’s Cup title. So he knows what it takes to win in the PBA. Last season, he averaged 17.9 points–No. 8 in the ladder–and 10 rebounds–No. 2–for the Grand Rapids Hoops in the CBA.

San Miguel interim coach Siot Tangquincen hopes the magic that Mott and Peña brought to Coppin State will resurface in the Samsung Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. Mott checked in as Art Long’s replacement and was a disappointment in his first two games. But last Sunday, the real Mott came to play and torched Coca-Cola for 34 points as San Miguel won, 90-84, in overtime. Mott and Peña conspired to lord it over both boards in an awesome display of rebounding power.

In the Commissioner’s Cup Finals last year, Red Bull defeated San Miguel, 4-2, behind import Tony Lang. The archrivals relive that bitter struggle in the semis this season. Lang is back and he’s got Julius Nwosu and DaVonn Harp to take care of the interior. Coach Yeng Guiao’s bench may be the league’s deepest and that is undoubtedly Tangquincen’s biggest headache.

In the other semis pairing, Talk ‘N Text slugs it out with Alaska. That’s another humdinger of a series. The Aces looked formidable in ousting FedEx last Wednesday. How to limit Jerald Honeycutt and Pete Mickael will be coach Tim Cone’s focus. Phone Pals coach Bill Bayno has something to prove. He’s determined to lead Talk ‘N Text to the Finals. Bayno’s problem is Cone is just as determined, if not even more.