Fight of the Maroons

Like all the other teams, the UP Fighting Maroons are preparing for battle in this coming season of the UAAP. But before they could overcome adversaries, they must first conquer themselves. Newly-appointed commander-in-chief has this burden on his shoulders.

Coach Lito Vergara, 32, did not expect to get the job when he applied for the slot. Going up against former coaching mentors–Ricky Dandan and Jojo Villa did not exactly raise his spirits. But he had nothing to lose. Even if he failed on this try, he still had the option of going back to coaching the juniors’ team which he steered to the championship in the 2002 UAAP season after a 65-year drought. Needless to say, this achievement was enough to impress and earn the faith of the UP community. He got the job although the party was short-lived.

Vergara did not have enough time to celebrate. There was a daunting task ahead. The seniors’ team was plagued with problems. There was no team leader. Team effort was very poor, as indicated by their low assists average, the lowest in the league. He observed that the players’ movements seemed too mechanical. They lacked even the basic decision-making skills. They were like robots that executed plays for Mike Bravo forever and ever even if other teammates were left open. The plays became too predictable. And to top it all off, the players had pitiable work ethics. "They think winning is easy," he noticed. "I told them we have to work hard in order to win."

How do you solve a problem like the fighting Maroons? And where do you start? Taking with him the innovations he introduced to the juniors, the shy but strict coach set off to work on what he called "total revamp."

Committees were put in place to take care of players’ needs outside basketball. The Academics Committee facilitates enrollment of athletes and their tutorials. Fortunately, one will not be required to pass the University of the Philippines College Admissions Test (UPCAT). "If you’re good and we like you, we will get you," Vergara put simply. The Varsity Athletics Admissions System (VAAS) will assist you in making your way to the state university. This gives hope to students who may want to capitalize on their basketball skills to enter a reputable school.

There is also a Spiritual Committee headed by Father Joel Eslabra. Coach Vergara recalled his desperation when he was coaching the juniors’ team last year. Despite their efforts, they had a hard time scoring a win. Looking at every possible solution, he suggested that all his players, including himself and coaching staff, undergo Sacrament of Reconciliation with Fr. Eslabra to cleanse themselves of sins and possibly earn the delight of the Almighty. Prayers really work, too, as he found out!

And then there is the very important Finance Committee that takes care of players’ allowance, and other expenses. Currently, this department is handled by week-old team manager Pico Gonzales who has been actively supporting the UP fighting Maroons for the past seven years; though he is not an alumnus. Gonzales graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York and France.

And taking their cue from Gonzales, generous supporters also began extending their support to the team. JP Paz, manager of the high school team, his sister, Marty, and parents Jim and Connie, are all part of the Adopt-an-Athlete-Program. They act like foster parents for players whose parents are in the province. Their homes are open to players for dinner after practice. "It simulates the sense of belonging to a family where you talk things over dinner, share with other family members your problems," Vergara added.

JR Reyes, Josant Cervantes, Abby Santos, Kenneth Robin and Jireh Ibañez are some of the players in this program. Should they encounter problems in academics, team, or personal life, they can always scoot over to the Paz’s to get advice. Paz residence is only about a hundred meters away from athletes’ quarters. The International Center is actually housing for foreign students but the team got four rooms for the players. Here, Gonzales assists in furnishing the house with beds, sofas, television sets and washing machines. The good thing about this is that players learn to be independent. They have to wash their own clothes and clean their own room. Not to mention that they develop stronger ties from doing chores together outside basketball.

Despite these improvements, Vergara knows it will be a long and wearisome journey through the 65th UAAP season. For him, it is becoming very difficult to get promising rookies out of high school. "It’s sad because we’re becoming the last choice of good players," he admitted. Worse is when players try out with them, move to test the waters in Ateneo or La Salle, and then go back to UP. "I don’t take them anymore. I think that’s unfair to us. It’s unfair to the team." For instance, NCAA MVP OJ Cua and his Letran teammate PJ Walsham trained with UP but left to look for green pastures. They are now with the Archers.

Plucked from the juniors’ team were Marvin Cruz and Jacob Manlapaz. Other rookies this year are Jay Agbayani from San Beda, Gary Sevilla from Chang Kai Shek, Ira Buyco and John Penson. Along with the veterans, John Tabique and Toti Almeda whom Vergara is grooming to be the team leader, they make up a team that has no certified superstar. "It’s not about the baskets that you will make. I pay more attention to the attitude. I’d rather have a player who’s willing to sacrifice," stressed Vergara.

Right now, coach is trying to implement the "NO smoking" rule in the team. "NO girlfriends during practice" is also in effect. For the players, the choices are simple–pain of sacrifices or pain of regrets?