Photo by Mario T. Dagdag
Once you go (with Norman) Black, you go back-to-back-to-back-to-back.
Despite an inconvenient appetizer of a drizzle, care of Typhoon Quiel, the atmosphere inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum was as sunny as could be—for the blue side at least. The Ateneo Blue Eagles secured their fourth straight UAAP Men’s Basketball crown on October 1, 2011 after trouncing the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 82-69, in Game 2 of the finals.
The last game of Season 74 featured a big dome painted predominantly in blue, with the school’s sixth man occupying almost 70% of seats. It was an atmosphere undeniably Atenean in flavor that FEU Athletics Director Anton Montinola, on seeing game barker Rolly Manlapaz don a blue shirt before tipoff, jokingly quipped, “Yung referees at table officials na nga para sa kanila na, pati ikaw pa? (The referees and table officials are already on their side, even you?)”
All gags aside, the Blue Eagles’ fourth straight title is a culmination of excellent recruitment, generous funding, top-class coaching and, above all else, hard work.
Road to destiny
Whether it was blind arrogance or genuine optimism, for most of the season, Ateneo fans have been holding the broom in anticipation of a 14-game sweep. Though Leo Austria and the Adamson Falcons had other things in mind, the Blue Eagles’ sole loss of the season did nothing but fuel their desire to win.
After squeaking past the University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four, Black’s boys were met at the top by the FEU Tamaraws for a rematch of last year’s finals series.
For the first 20 minutes of play, the penultimate game of the season was a tight affair. Better execution and stifling defense at the start of the third gave the Blue Eagles an 11-point lead into the fourth. With Nico Salva capping off his perfect shooting game with 24 markers and Kiefer Ravena and Greg Slaughter adding 17 and 12 respectively, Ateneo was on the cusp of another bonfire celebration.
Game 2 featured more of the same. A close first half, followed by crisp execution and superb man-to-man defense, gave the Blue and White an insurmountable lead late in the game. Notable were the efforts of Juami Tiongson and Tonino Gonzaga off the bench, both of whom provided much of the spark that drove the Eagles to the promised land.
“I feel great. This team has a lot of championship experience and it showed today. Beating FEU wasn’t easy but we made it happen,” said Coach Norman Black. Though the final scores imply otherwise, both games were hard-fought and anything but a walk in the park.
Another one for the books
Joining the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (1993-1996), De La Salle University Green Archers (1998-2001) and Baby Dalupan’s University of the East Red Warriors (1965-1971), the Norman Black-led Blue Eagles are only the fourth team in league history to win at least four titles in a row.
It is Ateneo’s seventh men’s championship in the UAAP and its twenty-first overall, having won 14 titles during its stay in the NCAA. The Blue Eagles also secured a three-peat in the NCAA, reigning the league from 1931 to 1933.
Cumulatively, Ateneo is the winningest collegiate team in Philippine basketball history. With the most number of men’s basketball championships to their name, the Blue Eagles and their brand of basketball have once again proven that Loyola Heights is home to one of the best athletic programs in the nation. According to Black, “We just wanted to be known as the best college program in the country, and winning today perhaps is the best testament to that.”
Since UAAP Season 71, the Blue Eagles have sported a 61-8 win-loss record, for an astounding 88.4% victory clip. With the talent they have now—and much more to come in the near future—it’s hard to imagine that percentage will dip any time soon.
Gesu and tradition
As A Song for Mary goes, “Win or lose, it’s the school we choose.”
Every year, whether Team Ateneo comes out of Araneta Coliseum with gold around their neck or not, the Blue and White faithful flock to the Church of the Gesu for a celebratory and thanksgiving mass.
The Blue Eagles entered the church one by one like rockstars, each receiving throngs of applause, with none louder than the one given to Coach Black. With Manny V. Pangilinan present, the mass was presided by Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ as the main celebrant.
“Ganito pala dito (So this is what it’s like here),” said Villarin, to laughter from the crowd. The Ateneo President commended the team for their hard work they’ve put in and the inspiration they provide for others.
“I hope the meaning of this victory is not, ‘Look at us. We’re number one.’ but [our finding] of true strength and self,” he said. “Thank you for showing us what ecstasy is—for transcending boundaries and challenges.”
As is tradition, the graduating players were asked to give a speech after the mass. Kirk Long, Bacon Austria and Emman Monfort came up to the podium one by one and bid the Sixth Man their final goodbyes.
UAAP Season 74 was a journey of unwavering belief and resilience. The glitter in the air may steal the show but it is how these players toil without seeking for rest that makes everyone proud to share in their victory.
