Gathering of Archers

The guest list was like a who’s who of La Salle alumni and they all came to meet new Archers men’s senior basketball coach Gee Abanilla for lunch at the Manila Polo Club last Tuesday.

San Miguel Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco Jr. hosted the get-together which was organized by La Salle vice chancellor Br. Bernie Oca. Among the other alumni at the gathering were BDO president Nestor Tan, former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Popoy Juico, Flying V president Chito Villavicencio, Justice Andy Reyes, Pagcor board member Lito Tanjuatco, La Salle representative to the UAAP Board Chuck Buenaventura, Hero Yu, Dave Dichupa, Manny Bocaling, Perry Uy, Gerry Lanuza, La Salle Alumni Association president Henry Atayde, media icon Mike Enriquez, La Salle basketball legend Kurt Bachmann and son Bobby, another La Salle cage hero Lim Eng Beng, still another La Salle hoops star Ren-Ren Ritualo and former Archers coach Franz Pumaren.  Team managers Eric Ongkauko and Raffy Villavicencio were also present.

The mood was upbeat. Abanilla took in suggestions from the guests who enthusiastically welcomed the former Archer who played on two UAAP title squads and was with Pumaren’s staff on five UAAP championship teams. Ambassador Cojuangco spoke about the importance of supporting the athletes in earning an education to fall back on after their basketball years. Yu delved on the “intangibles” that shape the character of a championship team and called for the return of the “animo” fighting spirit. Tan said with the composition of the current team, a shift from a guard orientation now appears imminent and the coaching staff must make the necessary adjustment. He also mentioned that since Jvee Casio’s departure, La Salle has been left without a leader on the floor. Tan added that in recruiting players, the school must be careful not to bring in “mercenaries.” 

Ritualo said during his La Salle days, the players never gave up, no matter the odds, no matter the deficit in a game, and called for more mental toughness from the Archers. Beng said if he could turn back the hands of time, he wouldn’t hesitate to suit up for the school again. “We played for our school and it was an honor for us,” he said. “On my final season, I promised Br. Gabriel (then La Salle president) I would bring another championship to La Salle. Every game I played, I gave it my all. I played with all my heart. I broke the NCAA scoring record in my last year and we won the championship.”

Bachmann said he yearns for the old La Salle spirit captured by the “Cheer, Cheer for Old De La Salle” song. 

Pumaren said he’ll always be around to lend a helping hand whenever it’s needed. “Gee’s first coaching job was under me in 1998 and he was able to adjust well from being a player to being a coach,” he said. “He was eager to learn and very devoted to his job. As for advice, I’m sure he’s well aware that being an assistant to being a head coach entails a whole lot more of responsibilities and college basketball is so different from the pros because he has the support and commitment of the entire De La Salle community. I will be here to support him and the entire De La Salle community rallying behind him.”

In an interview, Abanilla said he has learned a lot of lessons from working as an assistant with coaches Ato Agustin, Siot Tanquingcen, Franz and Derick Pumaren and Yeng Guiao. 

“From coach Ato, I’m learning from his experience as a player and coach,” said Abanilla. “He relates well with everyone, especially the players because he was a player himself and is very good in situational adjustments. With coach Siot, I learned the value of hard work. He’s one of the hardest working coaches I know and he delivers. Coach Franz is a hands-on type of coach and has the unique ability of using ‘diskarte’ in adjusting to game situations as they come up. Coach Derick taught me how to prepare for a game. I know his idol is Bobby Knight and he learned a lot from coach Ron Jacobs. I’m lucky that what coach Derick learned from others is also what I learned from him. Coach Yeng has a high leadership quality and is a great motivator. I owe a lot to coach Yeng, too.”

Abanilla said he also had the opportunity to learn from coach Joseph Uichico. “I was never on his staff but when I was with the national team, coach Jong came around to help out as former national coaches were requested to join us at practice,” he went on. “Coach Jong has a commanding presence and has tons of experience from coaching at all levels of the game. I hope he takes an active role with La Salle as a consultant.”

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Recent Manila visitor and three-time world’s No. 1 women’s golfer Christie Kerr is a big Miami Heat fan. She knows Dwyane Wade and his mother Jolinda personally as they’ve been involved in caring for the homeless and underprivileged children in various charity projects. Kerr, a Florida native, is also aware that Miami coach Erik Spoelstra is a Fil-Am. 

At a dinner party hosted by Store Specialists executive vice president Anton Huang last Tuesday, Kerr said she wished she could stay longer in Manila. “I’m actually ready to go home,” sighed the 5-4, 130-pound Lacoste brand ambassador who arrived for an overnight stay. “I’ve been on tour too long (seven weeks, including three in Asia). I’ve heard so much about the Philippines. I’ve been to many different Asian countries but never before to the Philippines. When I got in, all I had for breakfast was scrambled eggs and for lunch, a ham-and-cheese sandwich. I’ve heard about Filipino food and I wish I could taste it before leaving. I’ve also heard about the beautiful sights and wonderful shopping.”

Kerr, a wine connoisseur, said she would like to join a wine dinner in Manila when she returns with her husband Erik Stevens. She owns Curvature Wines, which helps to raise funds for research to find a cure for breast cancer. All Trump resorts carry the 2006 cabernet sauvignon under the Curvature Wines label. She also donates $50 to the breast cancer foundation for every birdie she sinks. Kerr created the Birdies for Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of her mother who was diagnosed with the illness in 2003. One of her sponsors donates money for breast cancer research whenever she finishes at least third in a tournament.