A Tribute To Coach Badolato

[TheHellboy]

Mga Sir, would like to continue this.

A Toast To A Legendary High School Coach

[Drahow ein Ente]

I liked how he handled the infraction of Escueta(?) who had a missing patch on his shorts during the ADMU-ADU game.

I wonder how Lester Alvarez fee.s when he sees the commish. hahah

[MakaveliLives]

Akalain mong aksidente lang ang pagiging Coach niya? Tapos ngayon eh siya ang best HS Coach of all time. It's hard to dispute that fact sa mga na-mold niya na players.

Lahat halos ng dumaan sa kanya, mga disiplinado at mga clutch. Bawal hindi sundin ang utos ni Coach Ato. Pero para din naman sa ikakabubuti ng mga bata yun.

There's this story na nung panahon nina Ritualo, bawal mag-dunk. Ritualo dunked one time and the following day, pinag-dunk ni Coach Ato si Ritualo ng ilang oras. Magsawa daw siya sa kaka-dunk.

He's also feared by his peers and other players. I remember this commentator ng isang NCAA game na former player. It didn't matter daw kung lamang sila. Kapag nakita nila na tumayo na si Coach Ato, they know that they're in trouble dahil he'll find a way to rally his troops to victory.

If not for the dark years ng Red Cubs nung lumipat from Mendiola to Rizal, malamang mas madami pa championships na nakuha yan.

Dagdag lang, this is highly-regarded as the best HS team of all time.

[TheHellboy]

One on one with Coach Ato Badolato
By Luis Carlo San Juan of the Philippine Star’s YS The Philippine Star Updated October 18, 2002 12:00 AM

We call him the maker of champions and a living legend. Ato Badolato has the demeanor of a champion coach. It came as no surprise when the San Beda Red Cubs grabbed the NCAA Junior Championship for the 13th time this year. In the remaining seconds of Game 1 of the Juniors finals, Letran was ahead by a few points. Coach Ato was a picture of calm even as he gave last-minute instructions to his players, a rarity among coaches at crunch time. They lost in Game 1 but made a huge comeback in Game 2 and finally, bagged the championship. Coach Ato Badolato won best coach of the year for the Juniors division. In the Juniors Mythical Five, four out of five players were Red Cubs.

He has been coach of San Beda since 1972. His sports program is considered one of the best and most successful in the country. Thanks to Coach Ato, San Beda has become a training ground for potentially outstanding basketball players. His boys who played and are playing in the UAAP are the key players in their respective universities. His most famous protege is L.A. Tenorio.

He claims to have no secret formula for his successful coaching, but from the looks of it, his instinct surpasses theory and his passion for the game drives him to be an exceptional teacher. Under his tutelage, San Beda has won 13 NCAA Junior championships, 10 National titles, 10 Pasarelles.

Get to know Coach Ato in this interview:

Young STAR: What made you stay this long in San Beda?

Ato Badolato: Dito ako nag-start since Grade 1. Siguro love of the game made me go full time.

What is the secret of your coaching success?

No secrets. Tiyaga lang sa mga bata. I join as many tournaments as possible, since there’s no substitute for a player being able to test his skills in an actual tournament. Also, I’m always on the lookout for good players. I recruit them within the school or outside the school.

How do you conduct try-outs? What do you look for in a player?

We announce the tryouts here (San Beda). I can spot what I need — big man, point guard, shooter, depende dun sa natitirang players sa akin.

What qualities make a good player for the Red Cubs?

He must have talent — kahit konti. Kailangan din matiyaga siya. He should have discipline. He should be willing to learn, to sacrifice, and to give up some of his hobbies just to be a good player.

Do you see yourself coaching for another school aside from San Beda?

Hindi na siguro. Nangako ako — hanggang matapos ang career ko. I’ll be here for as long as the school needs me.

How do you train your players? Do you have a different training practice from the other coaches?

Wala naman siguro. Ganyan din ang mga ginagawa ng mga ibang coach. They start with the fundamentals — conditioning of players. Then they go into basics — practising different types of defenses. Nakukuha lang talaga yan sa tiyaga.

How do you motivate the Red Cubs?

Hindi na kailangan. Because they know what it means to be a Red Cub — the tradition they have to uphold. It is something they look forward to. They don’t really need that much motivation.

Do your former players (Ren-Ren Ritualo, L.A. Tenorio, Jonjon Tabique, Magnum Membrere, etc.) still ask you for advice?

Oo. Sometimes they call me. Sometimes we run into each other at the games. Also, we take trips outside the Philippines, like to the US. Yung mga iba na hindi kayang magbayad, tinutulungan ko at nagso-solicit ako. Yung mga successful na, yun naman ang tumutulong sa akin. Almost every year, we try to go to the States. Former Red Cubs who are PBA players help us.

Rank the 10 best players you’ve coached.

Ten best players? Medyo mahirap yata yan. Yung mga naglaro at naglalaro pa rin sa PBA. Paras, Magsanoc, Altamirano, Pumaren, Esplana, Chito Loyzaga, si Boybits Victoria, Ritualo, Messina, at siguro si Bravo. Of course may mga bata pa, you have to include Tenorio, Membrere, Cordero and Tabique.

What do you think of Red Cubs moving on to the UAAP?

I am both happy and sad. Happy, because other schools are interested in San Beda players. Sad, because we keep on losing them.

Do you encourage Red Cubs to stay on the team?

I tell the players to weigh their options. I tell their parents to think about what’s best for their kids in terms of academics and their future in basketball. I never tell them to choose this or to choose that.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement? When I was given a break to coach the Red Cubs. May nagtanong sa akin kung ano raw ang pagkakaiba ng championship na ito sa mga nakaraan. Sabi ko, I think all championships pare-pareho lang. I’m proud of all of them.

Is there anyone who can fill in your shoes?

Ah marami naman niyan. Wala naman taong indispensable. Marami akong kilala who would want to continue coaching the Red Cubs.

Do you think the Red Cubs will still play a good game even if San Beda high school turns co-ed when they transfer to Taytay, Rizal?

Siguro at the beginning maninibago iyan. Not everyone would want to study in a far place. San Beda Mendiola is a good location because you can live in Quezon City, Pasig or Alabang, and it’s still be easy to come here. At the beginning, medyo mahihirapan. Pero probably that’s my next goal -to continue San Beda’s power in the Red Cubs even with this transfer. Siguro, if I can do that, malaki ang na-accomplish ko for the Red Cubs.

We ask the inevitable question: Will Coach Ato go back to coaching college level-basketball?

The obvious answer from a man who’s done so much: No!

Coach Ato says he prefers to be known as a guide. Yet, he will always be a mentor to his players, who after college, continue to play not only with great skill, but with heart.



http://www.philstar.com/youngstar/ys...bCategoryId=84

[TheHellboy]

Taken from the Philippine Star: September 30,2002

The Red Cubs
THE GAME OF MY LIFE by Bill Velasco
The Philippine Star 09/30/2002


There is one breeding ground of great basketball players that many people have not acknowledged to be a gold mine, though they have inadvertently reaped its fruits. Once again, the San Beda Red Cubs have reached the zenith of high school basketball, winning the NCAA high school championship at the expense of the Letran Squires.

The goldsmith of such consistent excellence is Ato Badolato, now in his 31st year of coaching the Red Cubs, perhaps the longest tenure of any living coach in the Philippines. One of the prohibitively few comparable stints that come to mind is Tex Winter, an active coach since after the Depression. But his success is staggering when you consider that this was his fifteenth title, the first since 1999, meaning he has won a championship practically every other year, a staggering achievement in a field wherein players are constantly lost to graduation. And this season, he reached the finals via a 14-0 sweep of the eliminations.

"I’ve liked basketball since I was a kid, and was appointed coach of the midget team quite by accident," admits Badolato. "I was a working student."

That started a string of championships unparalleled to this day. But, more than that, his players have gone on to conquer the sport at every level. There is one thread that strings together Chito Loyzaga, Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc and today’s budding superstars Ren-Ren Ritualo, LA Tenorio and Magnum Membrere. They all came out of the San Beda junior mill, expertly molded by Badolato.

"We all know how good a coach coach Ato is," says Claiford Arao, the Cubs 6-5 starting center who also played on the Philippine youth team. "But he teaches us more than basketball. He teaches us the right attitude, and things about life."

"He doesn’t just teach you on the court, but off its, also," adds forward Jay Agbayani."He’s already got such a big name, made such a big mark in the industry in junior basketball, you’d be proud just to be on his team."

Badolato’s boys have discovered his formula for winning championships. He drills them well in practice, and loads them with experience, so that high-pressure games don’t wilt them.

"The secret of our success is that we’ve joined many, many tournaments since they were in grade school, because I know there is no substitute for an actual game, and this is what builds them up," he told The Star.

Fundamentally, Badolato has noticed a pattern among junior players, perhaps from watching too many pros. They simply don’t pass as often as they could to spot the open man.

"I believe that our players dribble too much," he explains. "This just makes the defenses of the other team look so good. We try to tell them that, less dribbles, less chances you’ll make an error."

Budding center Michael Baldos learned firsthand how hard it was to go all the way to the finals.

"There are so many games you have to go through to get to the championship," he recalls. "They had to tell us how to treat the games as if they were just ordinary games, not a championship."

Junior NCAA Finals MVP Jayvee Casio was the revelation of the tournament. He poured in 33 points in their Game 1 loss to Letran, then bounced back with 19 to seal the championship. He was unerring from the 3-point line.

"Coach To really motivates us. He tells us how to perfect what we need to do in practice," the young guard reveals. "He says we should just play our game, and things will just come."

"In the second game, we knew we had to win to finish the series," says flashy point guard Yuri Escueta. "If we lost, then the 14-0 would have been for nothing."

Even the team’s managers, Dilip Budhrani and Rajan Gidwani (both high school batch 72, when Badolato came in), marvel at Badolato’s ability to handle young players. It is a rare gift that he can spot a winner the moment he steps onto the court.

"The last time we won the championship was in 1999. I had players like Membrere, (Arjun) Cordero, Tenorio. I gues that team had more superstars than this team. The teamwork of this team is something that I haven’t seen for a while."

"I really can’t explain," Badolato wonders. "Maybe if I look in a player, I can see stability, I can tell right away if he’ll be a winner or not."

And that is the secret of the San Beda Red Cubs, one that can’t easily be replicated. They can spot winners. And their track record attracts even more to their fold. After all, who doesn’t want to be counted among the best at what they do?

[TheHellboy]

A toast to a legendary High School Coach
by Mike Abasolo
Friday, 3 September 2010

Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Eric Altamirano, Ren-Ren Ritualo, Tyron Bautista, Ralph Rivera, Jenkins Mesina, Rensy Bajar, Gerry Esplana, Dindo Pumaren, Jayvee Casio, LA Tenorio, Magnun Membrere, Ford Arao and the list goes on…..

Their early careers have been honed and molded, considered by many as one of the most feared mentors in the high school level. “Each time you face his team, expect to encounter a very superior line-up”, according to a coach who have faced Coach Edmundo “Ato” Badolato several times at the teen level.

His status as among the elite mentors of the game has expanded his legacy. In this phase of his career, he has been appointed as league commissioner or consultant of major leagues in the country in several occasions but his legendary image will remain as probably the most sought after toddler talent scout the local basketball scene has ever known.

Not known to many, Coach Badolato was originally a volleyball player. He played for the San Beda volleyball team for two years while working behind closed doors as a working student at the school’s athletic office.

“Our athletic moderator then Mr. Clarito Pinga, literally pushed me into taking this job”, Coach Badolato said with a grin, apprehensive, then maybe, told himself that things happen for a reason.

Coach Badolato learned the game, at the same time coaching on the fly. His rise to prominence was not easy. The game made a rude introduction when he coached his very first match at the Archdiocese Athletic League (AAL). He had no chance of winning that game.

“I can’t remember the score but it was a total blow out”. The losses, after all, were just short term.
Coach Badolato singled out the late Crispulo Jocson, a former Red Lions head coach from the early 60′s, as his mentor.

Mr. Jocson’s son, Minoy, relates how his dad became an influential part in Coach Badolato’s career, “Olong used to tell stories how like a sponge ‘Ato’ absorbed all the tips he gave and was happy to see him perfect his coaching skills. He was proud of Ato and I’m sure of what he has achieved and he will always have a special place in my dad’s heart”.

“I owe my breaks to Mr. Pinga and my knowledge of the game to Mr. Jocson, both were really influential in basketball life”, added Coach Badolato.

Since he took over the Red Cubs program in 1972, Coach Badolato has won a total of 16 NCAA Men’s Junior Titles a feat unheard of in most institutions, His eye for basketball talent is impeccable. A lot of coaching personalities know about the game but only a handful can recognize a specimen. He has that natural ability to spot talent.

Finally announcing his retirement in a public ceremony held at the Arena in San Juan City during the opening of the FilOil Flying V Preseason Tournament last April 10, he humbly said to me that “I just scout players that can fit my game plan and what I need for the team to succeed”. And when asked what his most memorable championship was, he said “too many to mention”.

[barbero]

I liked how he handled the infraction of Escueta(?) who had a missing patch on his shorts during the ADMU-ADU game.

I wonder how Lester Alvarez fee.s when he sees the commish. hahah

upon recommendation ni Coach Ato. "puny*ta! patch lang yan, kung gusto niyo manalo eh di galingan niyo maglaro"

unlike some other league commissioners i know.

[barbero]

Coach Ato is really a strict disciplinarian. I remember watching the 2004 championship game between SBC and LSGH when he took Menor out of the game because he was showboating in the court. This was in a finals game and the Red Cubs were trailing! Although bedans in attendance weren't really concerned because, well c'mon, it was the Red Cubs against LSGH, tinatanong pa ba yan?

[TheHellboy]

How Bedans notice the Pride... Ganito din ba paningin niyo on the Red Cubs Bench?


They know when he's like this.


While everyone was rejoicing...


Kahit tambak na kalaban...


Eventhough the pride won... He's still disappointed.


Like the shirt?... We adore the name!


Rare smile


Remember these guys?


His last year as a Coach. SBC Red Cubs-NCAA Champion '09.


Another product of Coach Ato.


The Living legend


A Gift to Coach.

[PePmAnDoS]

one of the best coaches ever! i adore him much for his fidelity and him being a good sport.

kudos to coach badolato for making SBC a basketball royalty in the HS level.

[MakaveliLives]

Saka mukhang okay din siya mag-mold ng coaches. Look at Coach Britt now.

[AltarBoy^_^]

NCAA should enshrine him in the Hall of Fame for Coaches who gave HS basketball the quality that it enjoyed through the years that he gave for the sport. His keen sense for talent is above all.

[chellotte8]

NCAA should enshrine him in the Hall of Fame for Coaches who gave HS basketball the quality that it enjoyed through the years that he gave for the sport. His keen sense for talent is above all.

So true.

[MakaveliLives]

NCAA should enshrine him in the Hall of Fame for Coaches who gave HS basketball the quality that it enjoyed through the years that he gave for the sport. His keen sense for talent is above all.

Hindi lang NCAA dapat. BAP or SBP dapat dahil malaki naitulong niya sa Pinas basketball.

[Gospel of Judas]

sya nga ang paboritong uaap commissioner ng la salle

[iyurts]

upon recommendation ni Coach Ato. "puny*ta! patch lang yan, kung gusto niyo manalo eh di galingan niyo maglaro"

unlike some other league commissioners i know.

I like this!
I second emotion!!!!

[chellotte8]

sya nga ang paboritong uaap commissioner ng la salle

Bakit naman?

[TheHellboy]

All in all - 17 Titles
Under Coach Ato - 16 Titles

2009-10 San Beda
2008-09 San Sebastian - These were the Dark years when the HS transferred from Mendiola to Taytay, Rizal.
2007-08 San Sebastian - These were the Dark years when the HS transferred from Mendiola to Taytay, Rizal.
2006-07 San Sebastian - These were the Dark years when the HS transferred from Mendiola to Taytay, Rizal.
2005-06 San Sebastian - These were the Dark years when the HS transferred from Mendiola to Taytay, Rizal.
2004-05 San Beda
2003-04 San Beda
2002-03 San Beda
2001-02 Letran
2000-01 Mapua
1999-00 San Beda
1998-99 Mapua
1997-98 Mapua
1996-97 San Beda
1995-96 San Beda
1994-95 Mapua
1993-94 Mapua
1992-93 San Beda
1991-92 San Beda
1990-91 San Beda
1989-90 Mapua
1988-89 San Beda
1987-88 San Beda
1986-87 SSC
1985-86 Letran
1984-85 Trinity
1983-84 Letran
1982-83 San Beda
1981-82 San Beda
1980-81 Suspended
1979-80 Letran
1978-79 San Beda
1977-78 JRC
1976-77 Ateneo
1975-76 Ateneo
1974-75 San Beda
1973-74 Ateneo
1972-73 Mapua (Senor Ato's 1st Stint) -Coach reminded that this was a total blow-out
1971-72 Mapua
1970-71 Mapua
1969-70 Mapua
1968-69 Mapua
1967-68 San Beda

[TheHellboy]

Source: Bedans from Gameface.

1. Coach Ato
2. Asst. Coach R. Baena
3. Asst. Coach L. Pujante
4. Asst. Coach B. Reroma

5. Benjie Paras
6. Eric Altamirano
7. Ronnie Magsanoc
8. Dindo Pumaren
9. Duane Salvaterra
10. Gerry Esplana
11. Boybits Victoria
12. Tyone Bautista
13. Toti Almeda
14. Michael Bravo
15. Mark Jomalesa
16. Xavier Nunag
17. Jay Agbayani
18. LA Tenorio
19. Magnum Membrere
20. Mike Baldos
21. Yuri Escueta
22. Ford Arao
23. Christian Calaguio
24. Renren Ritualo
25. JV Casio
26. Jenkins Mesina
27. Francis Mercado
28. Arjun Cordero
29. Jeff Bombeo
30. Jay-R Taganas
31. JR Tecson
32. Rogemar Menor
33. Chico Tirona
34. Borgie Hermida
35. Dave Marcelo
36. Du Canlas
37. Jerome Villanueva
38. Jonas Villanueva
39. Jun Sy - Too small to play college ball but he's skills were legendary even Renren idolizes this kid.
40. Renzy Bajar
41. James Martinez
42.*Nico Salva
43. LA Revilla
44. JB Sison
45. Ralph Rivera
46. Richard Melencio
47. Jacques Gottenbos
48. Danzen Mariano
49. Garvo Lanete
50. Darwin Patulan, RIP.

51.* Dennis Ramirez
52. Jose Franco Juan
53. Rolando Manuel
54. Giovanni Manzano
55. Vincent Largo - 1990 NCAA Juniors Champion team, 1991 NCAA Seniors Rookie of the Year
56. Ronald Magtulis - 1992 NCAA Juniors Champion team, 1997 UAAP Seniors Champion team for FEU.
57. JonJon Tabique - one of UP's speedy point guards before he got hit with cancer.

Ato's first ever Juniors Title was in 1974.

58. Benjie Gaddi (Capt)
59. Chuck Barreiro
60. Chito Loyzaga
61. Edwin Chu
62. Jake Ampil
63. Johann Canilao
64. Neldo Coronel
65. Billy Hernandez
66. Marlex Montemar
67. Gerry Datuin
68. Mer Sales
69. Sal Manalansan
70. Alex De Jesus
71. Rey Umali
72. Russell "Rusty" Blas

Gaddi, Barreiro, Loyzaga and Chu eventually played for the Red Lions, and was part of that 1976 team that included Frankie Lim and Abe King.

Johann Canilao in 1976 was the NCAA Juniors 3rd leading scorer at 27 ppg, IIRC. Only Ateneo Eaglet Ogie Narvasa and Letran Squire Erwin Bolabola exceeded his average. His teammate, Glenn Leonor, joined the top 20, scoring 20 ppg.
__
In 1978, Ato's Red Cubs dominated the NCAA by finishing the season undefeated* and joined the Red Lions as Champions that year.

The Players (IIRC):
73.Joey Loyzaga
74.Banjo Lazaro
75.Juancho Cordero
76.Mukesh (Mike) Advani
77.Manny Orosa
78.John Copada
79.Jerry Rodas
80.Billy Frauendorff
81.Cesar Lasa
82.Willie Baleva
83.Bliz Cuna
84.Glenn Leonor
85.Doy Toledo
86.Rey Buencamino
87.Jason Chu

Joey Loyzaga and Mike Advani not only would play as Red Lions later, they would also play in the PBA.

John Copada, a reed-thin 6'4" center, would later be chosen for the 1982 edition RP Youth Team. However, physical maladies forced him to beg off, and he was replaced by La Salle's Tonichi Yturri.

88. Baser Amer
_____
Mga Sir, alam ko kulang pa ito. Kayo na po magdagdag. Ang sakit sa ulo maghanap at mag-bungkal sa baul.

Kayo na rin mag-edit or revise kung may mali ako o kulang.

ANIMO SENOR!

[Gospel of Judas]

Bakit naman?

2004 UAAP - hosts: la salle - commish: ato badolato
2010 UAAP - hosts: la salle - commish: ato badolato