Greenbloods to revive 'animo' spirit

MANILA, Philippines - Reeling from back-to-back failures to crash the UAAP Final Four, the De La Salle University men’s senior basketball team welcomes a new coaching staff made up of former Archers committed to revive the legendary “animo” spirit of the Green and White.

Gee Abanilla, 45, was named head coach with Juno Sauler, Tyrone Bautista and Jun Limpot as assistants. Additionally, Joseph Uichico will work with the Archers as a consultant. The five played on La Salle teams in various eras with only Limpot making his debut in a coaching capacity.

“We’ve set modest goals as a start,” said Abanilla, a Petron assistant coach in the PBA. “We didn’t make it to the Final Four the last two years so our immediate goal is to return to the semifinals. We’re not after perfection, we’re after improvement. I’m a believer of three things – preparation, organization and discipline. If we make it to the Final Four, you can be sure we won’t stop there. We’re Lasallians and we’re known to always strive for excellence.”

Abanilla held an assessment practice with the team early this week and was optimistic of a rebound. “We’ve got big guys who can run and we’re solid at the point guard position,” said Abanilla. “We’re losing Simon Atkins and Maui Villanueva to graduation. I think we need to strengthen our two and three spots. Recruitment is key in any collegiate program. We’ll put up a system where we can find players to fill our gaps, not with a shotgun approach but with a clear direction.”

Abanilla said his assistants will play major roles in the Archers’ revival. “It’s important that we’re all on the same page,” he went on. “We’ll use a balanced formula. While I’m oriented towards defense, I realize you need good offense, too, and that’s what I mean by a balanced attack. Juno will help out in an overall capacity with a focus on scouting. Tyrone will work with the small guys, particularly in the shooting area which is his specialty. Jun will be our skills coach with an emphasis on polishing our big guys. I’ve met with coach Jong and I’m really hoping he can play an active role on the team. He has tons of experience coaching at all levels of the game. Coach Jong has gained the respect of everyone with all his achievements and is a commanding presence for us.”

La Salle vice chancellor Br. Bernie Oca said he’ll never forget Abanilla’s courage under fire during the Archers’ first UAAP championship in 1989-90. “Gee wasn’t our first point guard and played behind Teddy Monasterio,” recalled Br. Bernie. “We were at a twice-to-beat disadvantage against FEU but it was Gee who stepped up in the first game which we won in overtime. Then, Gee got more playing time in the last game which we also won over FEU for our first UAAP title.” The Archers were coached by Derick Pumaren and the players included Limpot, Johnedel Cardel, Joey Santamaria and Eddie Viaplana.

Abanilla played on another La Salle title team before finishing out his varsity eligibility. He graduated from La Salle with Liberal Arts and Commerce degrees, majoring in psychology and marketing. In 1993, Abanilla was the 21st and last pick in the PBA draft, chosen on the fourth round by 7-Up whose coach was Pumaren. Others who were selected in the draft were Limpot, Cardel, Vic Pablo, Johnny Abarrientos, Boyet Fernandez, Freddie Abuda and Olsen Racela. Abanilla never played in the PBA and thinking he had no future in basketball, set up his own business in appliance financing.

In 1998, Abanilla was invited by former La Salle cager Tonichi Yturri to join the Cebu Gems coaching staff in the now-defunct MBA. “I was surprised by Tonichi’s invitation, to be honest,” said Abanilla. “I consulted Manong (Derick Pumaren) about it and he advised me to read up on coaching and learn more about the game. I eventually declined the invitation but Manong, who was then coaching Sta. Lucia Realty in the PBA, took me in as an apprentice to observe from the sidelines. When I got back on the court, I realized how much I had missed the game. All of a sudden, the passion was back.” 

Then came Franz Pumaren’s offer to join his coaching staff at La Salle in 1998-99. That led to five UAAP championships, including a four-peat from 1998-99 to 2001-02. Meanwhile, Abanilla was recruited by Derick Pumaren as an assistant coach with Purefoods, Tanduay and FedEx. In 2004, Abanilla joined coach Yeng Guiao’s staff at Red Bull and in 2009, signed up with San Miguel Beer under coach Siot Tanquingcen. Now, he’s with coach Ato Agustin at Petron. In 2008, Abanilla was St. Benilde head coach for about eight months but resigned after he was tapped by Guiao for his staff with the national team.

“Before La Salle, my only head coaching experience was with St. Benilde and Hapee Toothpaste in one PBL conference,” said Abanilla who has two boys – Gio, 15, and Kit, 10 – with wife Karen. “When I came in, St. Benilde had just finished last in the NCAA with only one win. When I left, we already had five wins so it was quite an improvement. I had to leave because I was involved with four other teams and the schedule of practices and games was killing me. I couldn’t continue because it wouldn’t be fair to St. Benilde.”

Abanilla said he is grateful to La Salle for his education, formation and career. “This is my chance to pay back La Salle,” he said. “It’s an honor to be coaching for my school. I’m excited to revive the ‘animo’ spirit and to work closely with the Lasallian community, particularly the alumni. It’s a major boost that Mr. (Eduardo) Cojuangco, a distinguished La Salle alumnus, is backing our team. It’s not just good for La Salle basketball but also for the sport as a whole.”