BJ: green or blue?

There is a quiet tug-of-war between UAAP powerhouses De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University for BJ Manalo. That revelation will probably ruffle many feathers, considering the controversy that shrouded his transfer from the latter to the former.

In an exclusive interview with The Star, Manalo, whose dream career was stalled by injury last year, admitted that he is torn, since both schools have been persistently pursuing him to make use of his last year of eligibility. The Green Archer has fulfilled his four-year obligation to the DLSU, graduating with a degree in Marketing Management last September. He has resolved to pass up a chance to enter this year’s PBA Draft.

"What I really want is to play UAAP basketball," says the former Blue Eaglet. "If I enter the PBA draft now, I will never get that opportunity again."

Manalo’s career was almost picture perfect. He first gained attention as a smallish, gangling kid who joined teammate and good friend Enrico Villanueva in the first adidas Streetball Challenge back in 1996, before he was recruited for the Philippine Youth team. Then, he has a stellar career with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, earning his first championship. The six-foot guard caused a storm when he transferred to bitter rival De La Salle, despite the fact that he had been happy with Ateneo, and all his friends were there.

"I really want to be a basketball player, and I feel this is the best situation for me to do that," Manalo said at the time.

He did fulfill many of his wishes, being an important part of three consecutive championships for the Green Archers, and healing his fractured friendship with old friends like Villanueva. Some of the most memorable photographs of the last two years have been of BJ and Enrico consoling each other whenever one lost the championship to the other.

2003 was supposed to be BJ’s coming of age. With Mike Cortez turning pro, Manalo was to be the starting point guard for De La Salle and the Philippine team. As a bonus, last January he even got the opportunity of a lifetime, playing one-on-one with his idol, NBA All-Star and fellow adidas endorser Tracy McGrady in Orlando, Florida. Upon his return, however, his career hit a roadblock.

On February 19, Manalo went for a lay-up in a game, then felt something pop in his knee. He hit the floor in pain, and then discovered a player’s nightmare. He had not only torn his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), but his MCL (medial collateral ligament), as well. He was going to miss the entire UAAP season.

"They said it was fatigue," the UAAP All-Star confirmed. "I was practicing with three teams: the RP team, DLSU and my PBL team (ICTSI). My body was just tired. I felt bad, but I knew that God must have another plan for me."

What followed was a remarkable story of courage and determination. After surgery, Manalo went through intense, rigorous training, spending up to six hours in therapy and exercise at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Ateneo in between his practicum requirements. Now, he is undergoing personal training with Kirk Collier, who was partly responsible for the spectacular conditioning and championship performance of Red Bull Barako, and the seamless transition of rookie Enrico Villanueva into the PBA. Now, BJ is heftier, stronger, and — if it’s possible ˆ even more passionate about the game.

"I want to dispel the belief that I’m still injured," Manalo emphasized. "I’ve been very consistent with my training with Kirk, who is one of the best. You know how it is after surgery and rehab now, you’re even stronger than you were before. I’m ready to play."

Right now, BJ has no team, since he is a graduate of DLSU and has no contract with any PBL squad, although many have expressed interest. He admits that his heart is still with De La Salle, but his management team is studying all possibilities.

The coaching situation with the Green Archers will be a factor. There have been rumors that Franz Pumaren will not be coach next year (possibly to swap places with Perry Ronquillo at Shell), but Pumaren says that he is still De La Salle’s coach until he meets with the school’s management in March. In a long-distance telephone interview with The Star, former Turbochargers mentor Ronquillo — who is vacationing with his family in San Francisco — says that his alma mater has not contacted him, either. And though Ateneo is reportedly set to welcome him back with open arms, Manalo is steeling himself for another backlash should he become a Blue Eagle one last time. The nastiness and vilification that publicly hounded him was very hard to endure, and not something he would wish to experience a second time.

"I don’t want my parents to go through that again, it was very painful," BJ recalls. "But I just really want to play UAAP basketball. That is my dream. We still have a long time to consider our options. Our deadline is still in May (before enrollment). So we’re taking our time."

BJ Manalo still has one year of unfinished business, to prove that he can lead a team to a championship on his own. Whether he does it with De La Salle or Ateneo, one thing is certain. He has chosen a hard and lonely path, where only his truest of friends will stand by him. And he intends to see his dream through to the very end. At any rate, he has always emerged triumphant in the end. And wouldn’t his victory be a win for all of us, as well?

Catch this Saturday’s episode of The Basketball Show on IBC-13 at 4 p.m., and get to know the most influential basketball personalities of 2003. The Basketball Show is presented by adidas, Columbia International Foods, Red Horse Extra Strong Beer, and Accel sports gear.