madpsychologist
Jul 2, 2004, 11:49 AM
to Filipino basketball junkies and they will think of an all-boys school, based near Mendiola Bridge in Manila and whose mascot is a red lion; a school where basketball is not just a sport but a lifestyle, a religion, and a cult following. Where the likes of Dindo Pumaren, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Chito and Joey Loyzaga, Gerry Esplana, Macky de Joya, Emmanuel Victoria, and Ren Ren Ritualo dominated the Metro Manila high school hoops landscape at one time or another. This educational institution is none other than San Beda College.
to all basketball players amateaur or pro before you try to make fun of an SBC Red Cub or an SBC Red Cub alumnus for being a “packer”, better think twice. You’re staring at a basketball player who has the potential to pack you, literally, into a balikbayan box. And send you to the nearest MailStation.
HUNTING SPREE
The reputation of San Beda as a perennial basketball power is enough to attract players from other schools. Similarly, its aggressive recruitment of potential basketball stars is legend. So much so that its recruitment program — with its support from parents, school administration and alumni — remains the envy of most coaches.
Ateneo, for example, does not fully encourage it because it believes the transfer of a student midstream can be potentially hazardous to the student-athlete’s academics.
In fact the reputation of San Beda as a hoops juggernaut is so strong that players from other schools who wish to play for the red-and-white have been the victims of politics from their schools of origin
What San Beda offers its players/recruits, though, are sparse — a full or partial scholarship, free board, lodging and meals, and a shot at a good education. Badolato claims there are no hidden benefits or money involved in the recruitment of players. “These players still have to pay their miscellaneous fees, which eats up nearly half of their tuition. For those who can barely pay even their miscellaneous fees, I ask certain alumni to help sponsor these players.” because here in San Beda we value education and academics is the main purpose of the school.
RED CUBS DILLEMA
Come graduation, one may think that it’s a foregone conclusion that Red Cubs are expected to be Red Lions in college. Ironically, Red Cubs rarely remain in Mendiola for their college years. One reason is the Survivor-like atmosphere in the SBC college basketball program. “It’s like everybody has his own agenda. There are alliances between small groups of people there that want their own way,” said Tenorio.
Ritualo said that the policy of requiring Red Cubs to try out for the Seniors team is the reason for the attrition. “I wanted to remain in SBC, but I was told that if I wanted to be on the varsity I have to join in tryouts, that I still have to prove my worth as a player on the Seniors level. What the f__k?! You have players who gave you countless distinctions, who gave their all to the program and still you have to make them try out for the team? I don’t understand it,” Ritualo lamented.
“The alumni have to draw a fine line between helping the team and meddling in it, that’s what’s causing the rift between the Senior and Junior programs in the first place,” offered Marcos. “Also, the players in the Senior team have to cast aside their differences and focus solely on winning, because winning is the only way to attract blue-chip recruits, not just those from within San Beda. Nobody wants to go to a loser.”
Upon graduation from high school, SBC players eventually end up in UAAP schools like UP, Ateneo, La Salle for a myriad of reasons
-reuter
to all basketball players amateaur or pro before you try to make fun of an SBC Red Cub or an SBC Red Cub alumnus for being a “packer”, better think twice. You’re staring at a basketball player who has the potential to pack you, literally, into a balikbayan box. And send you to the nearest MailStation.
HUNTING SPREE
The reputation of San Beda as a perennial basketball power is enough to attract players from other schools. Similarly, its aggressive recruitment of potential basketball stars is legend. So much so that its recruitment program — with its support from parents, school administration and alumni — remains the envy of most coaches.
Ateneo, for example, does not fully encourage it because it believes the transfer of a student midstream can be potentially hazardous to the student-athlete’s academics.
In fact the reputation of San Beda as a hoops juggernaut is so strong that players from other schools who wish to play for the red-and-white have been the victims of politics from their schools of origin
What San Beda offers its players/recruits, though, are sparse — a full or partial scholarship, free board, lodging and meals, and a shot at a good education. Badolato claims there are no hidden benefits or money involved in the recruitment of players. “These players still have to pay their miscellaneous fees, which eats up nearly half of their tuition. For those who can barely pay even their miscellaneous fees, I ask certain alumni to help sponsor these players.” because here in San Beda we value education and academics is the main purpose of the school.
RED CUBS DILLEMA
Come graduation, one may think that it’s a foregone conclusion that Red Cubs are expected to be Red Lions in college. Ironically, Red Cubs rarely remain in Mendiola for their college years. One reason is the Survivor-like atmosphere in the SBC college basketball program. “It’s like everybody has his own agenda. There are alliances between small groups of people there that want their own way,” said Tenorio.
Ritualo said that the policy of requiring Red Cubs to try out for the Seniors team is the reason for the attrition. “I wanted to remain in SBC, but I was told that if I wanted to be on the varsity I have to join in tryouts, that I still have to prove my worth as a player on the Seniors level. What the f__k?! You have players who gave you countless distinctions, who gave their all to the program and still you have to make them try out for the team? I don’t understand it,” Ritualo lamented.
“The alumni have to draw a fine line between helping the team and meddling in it, that’s what’s causing the rift between the Senior and Junior programs in the first place,” offered Marcos. “Also, the players in the Senior team have to cast aside their differences and focus solely on winning, because winning is the only way to attract blue-chip recruits, not just those from within San Beda. Nobody wants to go to a loser.”
Upon graduation from high school, SBC players eventually end up in UAAP schools like UP, Ateneo, La Salle for a myriad of reasons
-reuter