Conrad learned to play at the San Carlos Seminary and honed his skills as an Ateneo varsity star under coach Baby Dalupan. Among his Blue Eagle teammates were Joy Carpio, Fritz Gaston, Monet Araneta, Eric Farinas, Boysie Henares, Chito Mistades, Max Estrada, Gerry Verzosa and Romy Santos. He went on to play two years for Crispa in the amateur commercial leagues with best friend Greg Rastrullo, Eugene Leano and the late Jimmy Javier under Pilo Pumaren before hanging up his sneakers in 1978 because of nagging injuries in both knees.
In Caloocan where the Banals lived, Conrad used to coach the Barangay 66 team and recruited his brothers to suit up. Joel was only 15 when he realized basketball could be a means of livelihood. He got a P7 allowance playing for the Sixers.
Conrad recalled that Joel and Koy woke up at 5 a.m. to jog at the Luneta to get in shape for the barangay games. "I never did that," said Conrad. "For Joel and Koy, basketball was a passion. They love the game. They’ve done many things in their careers. Joel was in advertising and Koy was a Coca-Cola salesman. But in the end, they always went back to basketball."
Conrad said life was a struggle when he was a kid. His late father Conrad, Sr.–who passed away two years ago–was a straight cop and mother Joven, 75, once made extra money catering. They were nine kids in all. The eldest Chelo is a writer. Conrad came next then Mae who lives in Australia. Fourth was Joel followed by Kaye, Koy, Gina–a finance executive, Heidi–another writer, and finally, Honey.
In the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) senior men’s basketball, the Banals are on opposite sides. Joel is coaching Ateneo and Koy, Far Eastern University (FEU).
Conrad predicted the best-of-3 series will go all the way but stopped short of picking a winner.
"My mind says FEU will win but my heart says Ateneo," mused Conrad, The Star’s managing editor until health problems forced him to resign in 1992. "FEU has the deeper bench. Galing sa hirap sila kanya magpapakamatay sa loob ng court. To the players, basketball is their ticket to a better life. My heart is for Ateneo because I played there. When it comes to the crowd factor, lugi ang FEU because Ateneo plays like it always has the homecourt advantage. Malakas ang school spirit ng Ateneo."
Man for man, FEU has the edge, continued Conrad, although he conceded the Eagles’ advantage in matching up starting fives. He singled out the point guard matchup as key–L.A. Tenorio versus Denok Miranda.
Conrad said both teams are defense-oriented because his brothers believe in the same philosophy. "They’re both teachers," continued Conrad. "They believe in defense. When Koy coached at PSBA (Philippine School of Business Administration) and Joel at Mapua, they won with defense. Koy was influenced by what he learned in trips to the US where he observed the plays of teams like St. John’s, UCLA, USC and Michigan. That’s why in the UAAP, FEU and Ateneo are up there in terms of least points given up. Koy’s a good teacher–he stresses the fundamentals. Joel’s a good motivator. Never siya nagagalit, never siya nagsisisi ng player. They’re both cool–they’ve never been involved in fights. Joel was a star from the start. Koy learned the hard way–he was a point guard at San Beda, Arellano University and the RFM Swift amateur team."
Conrad said Joel is more suited to coach in the pros. "In the pros, the challenge is how to motivate your players," he explained. "The pros need little teaching because they’ve already reached a high level of competence. In the UAAP, the players are motivated–they’ve got the desire, they’re on the rise. But they need to be taught. Joel is a good motivator and he’s credible. Hindi nangbobola, may isang salita."
The Finals is destined to be a classic because of the matchups, said Conrad. "Ateneo’s big men Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia are defense-minded while the FEU big men Arwind Santos and Gerard Jones are offense-minded. It’s the other way around when you compare the wingmen. Larry Fonacier and Wesley Gonzalez are offense-minded while Jason Catli, Rhagnee Sinco and RJ Rizada are defense-minded."
Conrad said unlike his brothers, he doesn’t have the patience to coach basketball. "I have no regrets leaving basketball," he noted. "For me, my first love is writing and that’s what I’ll always go back to doing."
On last Tuesday’s Ateneo-La Salle game, Conrad said experience was the deciding factor. He cautioned players and fans from becoming too emotional to the point of being violent.
"The games should be fun to watch," said Conrad. "It used to be that basketball was an all guys affair. Now it’s become a family affair. In the UAAP, you see boys and girls watching, regardless of age. That’s great. We want it to be like in the US when families get together to watch baseball on Sundays. Our players must keep that in mind. When they’re playing in the UAAP, they’re not in a barangay playground where you can brawl. We want sports to build values. We want the UAAP to inculcate in the players that playing is fun–that we should just enjoy it."
Conrad said his problem isn’t in choosing sides but how to get tickets for the Finals. The Banals are watching the games in full force.
Who will their mother root for? "Kahit sino sa kanila ang manalo, walang talo ang pamilya," said Conrad. "Ang kutob ko, even if she’s not admitting it, our mother is hoping Koy wins. He’s the youngest boy and my mother had a difficult pregnancy with him. She developed kidney problems when she was pregnant with Koy. But either way, my mom will be happy. We’re just so proud and blessed that Joel and Koy are both in the Finals."