La Salle-Zobel cagers finally on track

Losing is supposed to be second nature to the La Salle Zobel juniors basketball team.

That’s because, unlike other high schools that give priority to winning championships, La Salle Zobel has no structured recruitment program and relies exclusively on enrolled students to form the varsity. There are no athletic scholars and players are treated like ordinary students who must pass their subjects or else.

So when the Junior Archers won the Metro Manila Basketball League (MMBL) crown at the San Beda gym in Mendiola a few weeks ago, coach Boris Aldeguer said breaking tradition signaled a new beginning for the Alabang school.

"We just got tired of being kicked around," said Aldeguer. "Zobel had never won a championship so it’s about time we got on track. I came from Zobel. I played for Zobel. When Juno Sauler offered me to join the Zobel coaching staff in 2002, it took me less than two weeks to decide I would. I coached the aspirants at first then last year, took over as head coach from Dax Castellano."

Zobel finished the MMBL tournament with an 8-1 card, the only loss inflicted by San Beda in the eliminations. In the semifinals, Zobel upset back-to-back UAAP champion Ateneo and Letran ousted San Beda. The Junior Archers went on to beat Letran, 77-74, in the finals.

Leading the charge for Zobel was starting center and legendary pro Freddie Webb’s grandson David, a 6-1, 15-year-old freshman. Others in the squad were Simon Atkins, 6-3 Michael Fernandez (whose father Mai-Mai played on the famed Ateneo ’69 title squad with Francis Arnaiz, Joy Cleofas, Marte Samson, Frank Harn, Jun Ross, Bobby Rius, Tito Panlilio, Chito Afable, Baby Boy Morales, Willy Balmaceda, Wendy Cayanan, Cesar Ijares, Joe Gepuela and Ricky Palou), Dan Salvador, David Urra (whose father Martin was a former Olympic cager), Melvin Sun, Martin Reyes, Joshua Teodosio, Miguel de Asis, Manoj Chandumal, Gio Espina, Lorenz Tumlos, Aldo Malixi (whose father Alex saw action for the fabled La Salle ’74 title team with Lim Eng Beng, Doy Escober and Miguel Bilbao) and 6-2 Glen Buckley.

Aldeguer said Zobel’s system of developing players from the ranks is anchored on a three-level program to build a competitive varsity. The first level is the midgets for Grade 5 to 7 students. The second level is the aspirants for freshmen and sophomores. And the third level is the varsity for juniors and seniors, except in extraordinary cases of extremely talented players.

Assistant coach Albert Tirona takes care of the midgets pool of about 45 and another assistant Magsy Magsumbol, the aspirants pool of about 25. Aldeguer supervises the entire three-tier program and focuses on the varsity pool of 14.

"We emphasize defense–that’s where everything starts," said Aldeguer whose younger brother Dino was a former pro and sister Ella is Ginebra San Miguel assistant coach Binky Favis’ wife. "In offense we’ve got good guards so we take advantage of their quickness to run. Last year, we had bigger guys but we were slower. Now, we’re smaller but faster."

Aldeguer, 30, said he admires Tim Cone and Chot Reyes for their coaching ability, style and demeanor. "I’m not the type to scream and jump up and down," he said. "I try to be calm. I don’t panic so I don’t put more pressure on the players like Phil Jackson who just lets his players do their job."

Aldeguer said it’s important to keep track of his players’ academic showing. "Every trimester, I check out their report cards and meet with their teachers," he continued. "I’m concerned about their progress in the classroom. I don’t want the players to fall behind in their schoolwork because of basketball."

Aldeguer, the sixth of seven children, said his whole family is his support system from his father to youngest sister Tessa. His brother-in-law Favis is also a big influence.

"Boris’ goal is to change Zobel’s image from a pushover to a respected basketball team," said his father Fernando, a former La Salle Bacolod cager and juniors coach. "He promised not to stop trying until he gives Zobel its first ever UAAP title."

Aldeguer was a Zobel star when Joseph Uichico coached the Junior Archers in 1992. He earned a degree in economics at La Salle and plans to seriously pursue a coaching career. Turning Zobel’s basketball fortunes around is the first chapter in Aldeguer’s coaching odyssey.