B. J. to play for Ateneo
June 4, 2004 | 12:00am
It’s confirmed. Former La Salle guard B. J. Manalo is among 18 players trying out for 16 slots in the Ateneo seniors basketball lineup for the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) this season.
Blue Eagles team manager Monchito Mossessgeld told The Star yesterday that Manalo has taken the entrance exam for the Ateneo Master’s in Business Management program.
Under UAAP rules this year, a team is allowed to submit a 16-man roster but only 14 may play in a game.
Mossessgeld said coach Sandy Arrespacochaga recently trimmed the tryout cast from 22 to 18 and Manalo was among the survivors.
"I expect B. J. to make the cut," said Mossessgeld. "He’s working very hard to get back into shape. You remember he was inactive for over a year because of injuries. He’s about 60 to 70 percent at the moment. Every morning, he works out on his own and in the afternoon, joins the team practice. I don’t know if he’ll start for us but he’s a player who can back up L. A. (Tenorio) at point guard or play beside L. A. at offguard."
If Manalo suits up for the Blue Eagles, he will make history as the first-ever UAAP cager to graduate from a school then play for another school the next year.
The UAAP allows five years of varsity eligibility for a player within a seven-year period. Manalo played four years for La Salle and saw action on three title squads. He earned an undergraduate degree at La Salle and may play for another UAAP school without establishing residency to complete his five-year eligibility because of his graduation. Manalo, of course, has the option of playing his final year for La Salle.
Manalo was on the Ateneo juniors squad before transferring to La Salle so returning to the Eagles nest would be a homecoming. He is now playing for the Lee Pipes-Ateneo entry in the Philippine Basketball League Unity Cup.
La Salle Alumni Association president Lito Tanjuatco said from what he knows, it’s 80 percent sure Manalo will play for Ateneo.
"What’s holding B. J. back is the question of whether he’ll play in the UAAP at all," said Tanjuatco. "That’s the 20 percent in the equation. But I wish to assure B. J. that whatever is his decision, the La Sallian community will respect it. He gave us four solid years and three championships. He earned his degree at La Salle and to us, he will always be a Christian gentleman."
Why Manalo is not playing for La Salle is the subject of a lot of speculation. There is talk that he doesn’t get along with Archers coach Franz Pumaren. The root of the rift isn’t clear. Some claim Pumaren is inclined to play La Salle’s quicker and younger guards more. Others insist it’s because Manalo’s agent is Dondon Monteverde and not Mike Gonzalez, a La Salle alumnus and a close Pumaren family friend.
Gonzalez, a well-known player agent here and abroad, said he has nothing to do with the problem. "I have more than enough on my plate to worry about it," he said.
I spoke to De La Salle system president Bro. Armin Luistro about Manalo’s case during the "We Salute Our Own" program to honor graduates in media and advertising at the Taft campus last Saturday.
"First of all, B. J. is a fine example of a student athlete," said Bro. Armin. "He earned his La Salle degree and we’re proud of his accomplishments on the court and in the classroom. He will carry his La Sallian education forever, wherever he goes. I understand his long-term goal is to play in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) and I’m sure his decision on how he will use his final year of UAAP eligibility will consider that goal. If B. J. believes that playing for Ateneo this season will improve his chances in next year’s PBA draft, then it’s understandable that is the route he will take."
It was Bro. Armin who confirmed Pumaren’s reappointment as La Salle’s coach this season.
With Manalo’s impending return to Ateneo, Tanjuatco said he hopes the La Sallian community will respect his decision to move on. Bro. Armin said Archer fans should be proud that Manalo, a La Salle graduate, has a head on his shoulders and is determined to make good in his basketball career. Here is an opportunity for La Salle to show that La Sallians can rise above partisan sports particularly as the Taft school is this year’s UAAP host.
By the way, the Ateneo and La Salle basketball teams got together at the Loyola campus last Wednesday–part of the continuing program to develop camaraderie and fellowship among players, coaches, officials, graduates and students.
Tomorrow, the "bonding" will take place at the Eagle Ridge golf course in Trece Martires, Cavite. It’ll be a friendly team competition where each squad is made up of alumni from both schools. I heard Tanjuatco was frantically trying to pair a Christian Brother with a Jesuit as a team made in heaven.
Then, the La Salle-Ateneo golf rivalry ascends to a higher level at Sherwood Hills on June 11-13 in a Ryder Cup format. This time, it’ll be the best Archer golfers versus the best Eagle parbusters.
Ateneo and La Salle clash in their first UAAP seniors basketball encounter this season on July 11–a day after the opening–at the Araneta Coliseum.
Postscript. Samboy Lim will be the special guest of the 2nd Mini Olympic Games at the Palestra Iseo in Milan, Italy, on June 20. Philippine Milan Basketball Association (PMBA) commissioner Mel Nazares said the Skywalker will play in an exhibition game and conduct a basketball clinic for the Filipino community in the city. The PMBA, EUROPHIL cargo and Solong Anak Hans Rent-A-Car in Manila sponsored Lim’s trip. Polo of Milan, Overseas Workers Welfare Association of Manila, Maurizio and Daniel Foro of Cooperative Madial a.r.l. and the Consul General of the Philippines combined resources to organize the Mini Olympics. Emerald Headway continues to provide you with the best deals in town with its Mid-Year Magazine Overload subscription promo. Subscribe for one year and get a 5 percent discount plus a whopping 12 back issues of your choice. Subscribe for six months and get six complimentary back issues of your choice. With Father’s Day coming up, what better gift to give than a subscription to his favorite magazine. Choose from over 700 titles including Slam, NBA Inside Stuff, Automobile, Arena, PDA Essentials, Tips & Tricks, Premier and Motor Trend. Promo is until July 31 and is valid for titles with at least 10 issues per year. Some back issue titles are subject to availability. For inquiries, call 647-4744/66.
Blue Eagles team manager Monchito Mossessgeld told The Star yesterday that Manalo has taken the entrance exam for the Ateneo Master’s in Business Management program.
Under UAAP rules this year, a team is allowed to submit a 16-man roster but only 14 may play in a game.
Mossessgeld said coach Sandy Arrespacochaga recently trimmed the tryout cast from 22 to 18 and Manalo was among the survivors.
"I expect B. J. to make the cut," said Mossessgeld. "He’s working very hard to get back into shape. You remember he was inactive for over a year because of injuries. He’s about 60 to 70 percent at the moment. Every morning, he works out on his own and in the afternoon, joins the team practice. I don’t know if he’ll start for us but he’s a player who can back up L. A. (Tenorio) at point guard or play beside L. A. at offguard."
If Manalo suits up for the Blue Eagles, he will make history as the first-ever UAAP cager to graduate from a school then play for another school the next year.
The UAAP allows five years of varsity eligibility for a player within a seven-year period. Manalo played four years for La Salle and saw action on three title squads. He earned an undergraduate degree at La Salle and may play for another UAAP school without establishing residency to complete his five-year eligibility because of his graduation. Manalo, of course, has the option of playing his final year for La Salle.
Manalo was on the Ateneo juniors squad before transferring to La Salle so returning to the Eagles nest would be a homecoming. He is now playing for the Lee Pipes-Ateneo entry in the Philippine Basketball League Unity Cup.
La Salle Alumni Association president Lito Tanjuatco said from what he knows, it’s 80 percent sure Manalo will play for Ateneo.
"What’s holding B. J. back is the question of whether he’ll play in the UAAP at all," said Tanjuatco. "That’s the 20 percent in the equation. But I wish to assure B. J. that whatever is his decision, the La Sallian community will respect it. He gave us four solid years and three championships. He earned his degree at La Salle and to us, he will always be a Christian gentleman."
Why Manalo is not playing for La Salle is the subject of a lot of speculation. There is talk that he doesn’t get along with Archers coach Franz Pumaren. The root of the rift isn’t clear. Some claim Pumaren is inclined to play La Salle’s quicker and younger guards more. Others insist it’s because Manalo’s agent is Dondon Monteverde and not Mike Gonzalez, a La Salle alumnus and a close Pumaren family friend.
Gonzalez, a well-known player agent here and abroad, said he has nothing to do with the problem. "I have more than enough on my plate to worry about it," he said.
I spoke to De La Salle system president Bro. Armin Luistro about Manalo’s case during the "We Salute Our Own" program to honor graduates in media and advertising at the Taft campus last Saturday.
"First of all, B. J. is a fine example of a student athlete," said Bro. Armin. "He earned his La Salle degree and we’re proud of his accomplishments on the court and in the classroom. He will carry his La Sallian education forever, wherever he goes. I understand his long-term goal is to play in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) and I’m sure his decision on how he will use his final year of UAAP eligibility will consider that goal. If B. J. believes that playing for Ateneo this season will improve his chances in next year’s PBA draft, then it’s understandable that is the route he will take."
It was Bro. Armin who confirmed Pumaren’s reappointment as La Salle’s coach this season.
With Manalo’s impending return to Ateneo, Tanjuatco said he hopes the La Sallian community will respect his decision to move on. Bro. Armin said Archer fans should be proud that Manalo, a La Salle graduate, has a head on his shoulders and is determined to make good in his basketball career. Here is an opportunity for La Salle to show that La Sallians can rise above partisan sports particularly as the Taft school is this year’s UAAP host.
By the way, the Ateneo and La Salle basketball teams got together at the Loyola campus last Wednesday–part of the continuing program to develop camaraderie and fellowship among players, coaches, officials, graduates and students.
Tomorrow, the "bonding" will take place at the Eagle Ridge golf course in Trece Martires, Cavite. It’ll be a friendly team competition where each squad is made up of alumni from both schools. I heard Tanjuatco was frantically trying to pair a Christian Brother with a Jesuit as a team made in heaven.
Then, the La Salle-Ateneo golf rivalry ascends to a higher level at Sherwood Hills on June 11-13 in a Ryder Cup format. This time, it’ll be the best Archer golfers versus the best Eagle parbusters.
Ateneo and La Salle clash in their first UAAP seniors basketball encounter this season on July 11–a day after the opening–at the Araneta Coliseum.
Postscript. Samboy Lim will be the special guest of the 2nd Mini Olympic Games at the Palestra Iseo in Milan, Italy, on June 20. Philippine Milan Basketball Association (PMBA) commissioner Mel Nazares said the Skywalker will play in an exhibition game and conduct a basketball clinic for the Filipino community in the city. The PMBA, EUROPHIL cargo and Solong Anak Hans Rent-A-Car in Manila sponsored Lim’s trip. Polo of Milan, Overseas Workers Welfare Association of Manila, Maurizio and Daniel Foro of Cooperative Madial a.r.l. and the Consul General of the Philippines combined resources to organize the Mini Olympics. Emerald Headway continues to provide you with the best deals in town with its Mid-Year Magazine Overload subscription promo. Subscribe for one year and get a 5 percent discount plus a whopping 12 back issues of your choice. Subscribe for six months and get six complimentary back issues of your choice. With Father’s Day coming up, what better gift to give than a subscription to his favorite magazine. Choose from over 700 titles including Slam, NBA Inside Stuff, Automobile, Arena, PDA Essentials, Tips & Tricks, Premier and Motor Trend. Promo is until July 31 and is valid for titles with at least 10 issues per year. Some back issue titles are subject to availability. For inquiries, call 647-4744/66.
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