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[av_heading heading=’BUZZER BEATER ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Better than a championship
THE University of Santo Tomas is currently in euphoria after news broke out that Growling Tigers head coach Rodil “Boy” Sablan and his coaching staff are on their way out effective the end of November.
For the Thomasian community, the news is like winning the UAAP basketball title. The students and the alumni have been clamoring for Sablan’s ouster even before the start of the season.
Sablan debuted for the Tigers in Season 79 with a forgetful 3-11 win-loss record in the double-round eliminations. In Season 80 the record slid further to 1-13, barely avoiding a disastrous winless season.
UST could have finished with a much better standing with its less skilled but fighting lineup. But the incompetence of Sablan in handling the team hurt the Tigers’ campaign.
While the team’s struggles could be acceptable to some, Sablan’s attitude and demeanor in the face of Tigers’ humiliating defeats irked most of the school’s supporters.
There were times that he was openly blaming his players for their defeat while it was him and his coaching staff that were scrambling to design a play for the team in crucial stretches in the match.
Sablan was also the reason some rookie recruits shied away from playing for the team. Moreover, some veterans opted to sit out last season due to the coach’s horrendous system.
UST nearly caught a fish in rookie Troy Malillin, who left De La Salle University during summer but dropped his plan to play for the Tigers after talking to Sablan. Malillin is now with Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles.
Veterans Mario Bonleon and Henri Lorenzo Subido also opted to play in the PBA Developmental League rather than the UST after a misunderstanding about how Sablan is running the team.
Now that Sablan is on his way out, the Thomasian community is pleading to the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics to hire a better coach who can turn its fortune around next year.
This early, a lot of names are floating around, including San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua, Benthune Tanquincen and Aldin Ayo, who is reportedly getting sacked regardless of the result of the Green Archers’ campaign in the UAAP Season 80 finals.
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To improve its campaign heading into the NCAA next year, University of Perpetual Help Altas is bringing is act to the PBA Developmental League, which will open its new season in January.
With the departure of Nigerian Bright Akhuetie, Altas struggled during the NCAA Season 93, finishing at joint eighth with College of St. Benilde with a 4-14 win-loss record and missed the Final Four.
“We’re joining the D-League to toughen the players and team as a whole and gain experience heading into the next NCAA Season,” said Altas consultant Nosa Omorogbe.
Leading the way for Altas are 6-11 Nigerian Prince Eze, who missed the NCAA MVP plum but ended up with a slot in the First Mythical Team, AJ Coronel, Kieth Pido, Kim Aurin, Jack Hao, and Antonio Tamayo.
Altas will also reinforce its team with Ilonggo Edgar Charcos, Krystoffe Jimenez, Anthony Peralta, Danreb Antonio, Julius Tiburcio, Jerome Pacia, Jonmarc Precillas, Isidro Salvador, Marcus Tongco, Jonrey Villanueva, Rommel Mangalino, and Carl Soriano.
Newly crowned NCAA champion San Beda Red Lions – backed by Cignal HD – NCAA runner-up Lyceum Pirates, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, and CSB Blazers are also participating./PN
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