FROM IDEA TO REALITY

The Philippine Star
01/29/10

It was a time when leadership in basketball, the most popular sports in the country, was floundering, when programs that were nationwide in scope were conducted on an ad hoc basis and intermittently undertaken. Although collegiate basketball was popular, competitions were limited at the local level and efforts to organize and conduct inter-league competition gained lukewarm support.

It was at this time eight years ago that the idea to bring together collegiate champions of different leagues nationwide was brought up by Coach Joe Lipa, who got immediate positive response from teams in the UAAP and NCAA, popular leagues in Metro Manila.

Trailblazer friends

However, to give the concept of a league of champions a nationwide flavor, it was then important to involve right from the start “mother leagues” in the provinces. The call for pioneering support in the provinces was answered by like-minded people: CESAFI commissioner Felix “Boy” Tiukinhoy, University of Cebu executive chancellor Atty. Baldomero Estenzo, West Negros University’s Tony Agustin and Davao City’s Regino “Boy” Cua.

These individuals provided time, effort and resources to initially organize and launch provincial elimination games as part of the nationwide search for the best collegiate teams.   

To give form and flesh to the concept of a collegiate champions’ league, inputs from different sports-minded individuals and league officials were solicited. One person from many stood out in terms of commitment to convert the idea into reality: current UAAP president and FEU’s Anton Montinola. Since the inception of the idea of a league of champions up to the present, Anton has provided dynamic support to promote and strengthen the process of this annual search for a national collegiate champion.

Broaden competition

One of the objectives of this annual search, aside from bringing the best collegiate teams all over the country together for a national competition, is to broaden the competitive view of the players and the teams.

With the Champions League, small colleges that win in “mother leagues” can now aim for higher goal, starting with the provincial or regional championship, on to the Sweet 16 Finals, then the top four, and finally to be the national collegiate champion.

This is especially noteworthy in provinces that still have unevenly developed college basketball teams. Edper Brojan, in particular, has witnessed how the PCCL has encouraged teams in the Bicol region to look at structured programs that aim to win not just the local tournaments, but already the Champion League’s regional and zonal eliminations.

Eventually, as the teams mature, Brojan looks forward to seeing their mother leagues aiming even for the prestigious Sweet 16, just as Cebu and Negros teams have now included in their performance indicators.

Driving forces to a national goal

To conduct a nationwide competition requires considerable logistic support and resources. During the early years of Champions League, participation of provincial teams were limited and only champions from major leagues like Cebu’s CESAFI, Negros’ NOPSSCEA, and Davao City were invited to participate.

The breakthrough in terms of expanding the scope of competitions came two years ago when Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by Manny Pangilinan emerged as the governing body of local basketball. Through the recommendation of then SBP executive director Pato Gregorio, the annual tournament of the champions’ league became the accredited competition to determine the national collegiate champion and a major component off SBP’s program of activities submitted to FIBA, the international governing body for basketball.

With Manny Pangilinan’s pronouncement recognizing the importance of the annual search for the best collegiate teams as part of SBP’s national goal to develop and promote collegiate basketball, PLDT and SMART joined in as major corporate sponsors to provide support for a broader-based nationwide tournament.

To date, the Champions League competitions have expanded to include 27 “mother leagues” involving more than 200 collegiate teams. Games are held at venues located at different provinces and participating qualified teams are provided with transportation, accommodation and adequate facilities to be able to play competitive basketball.

Perpetual trophy and other distinction awards

In recognition of Pangilinan’s support to local collegiate basketball, a perpetual trophy named after him was commissioned by friends and donated to the Champions League. Sculpted by Juan Sajid Imao, son of national artist Abdulamri Imao, the massive trophy intends to inspire the league participants to excellence.

Other distinction awards handed out by Board of Trustees of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the end of its seventh season (2009) are the following:

• National Collegiate Player of the Year – Severino “Nonoy” Baclao of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, for his exemplary conduct on and off the court, showing character worthy of emulation as a model collegiate player, a consistent performer – as a team member and as a student – and an example of a competitive spirit imbued with a high degree of sportsmanship
• Most Valuable Player (Sweet 16 Finals) – Jose Antonio Reyes of the Ateneo Blue Eagles
• Mythical Team (Sweet 16 Finals) – Jose Antonio Reyes (Ateneo Blue Eagles), Eric Carlo Salamat (Ateneo Blue Eagles), Ryan R. Garcia (FEU Tamaraws), Aldrech Ramos (FEU Tamaraws), Riego Meinardo Gamalinda (San Beda Red Lions)
• Best Coach – Norman Black of the Ateneo Blue Eagles
• Best Performing Referee (Sweet 16 Finals) – Salvador “Buddy” Cortez
• True Heart of a Champion Award – De La Salle Green Archers, for giving 100 percent effort in the team’s defense of the Philippine Collegiate Champion crown despite odds stacked against the young team. The Green Archers failed to secure an outright slot in the Sweet 16 Finals and so took the long route, traveling to Naga City for their chance to retain the title.
• Fortitude Award – Collegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, for display of full commitment to participate in the journey towards the national championship, initiating actions necessary for the team to compete in the Sweet 16 Finals despite difficulties and conflicts in team members’ availability.
• Stability and Consistency Award – University of Visayas Green Lancers and FEU Tamaraws, for their stability and consistency in performance, thereby consistently qualifying in the Sweet 16 Finals all these years.
• Trailblazer Friends Award – Atty. Baldomero Estenzo of University of Cebu, Commissioner Felix “Boy” Tiukinhoy of CESAFI, and Tony Agustin of West Negros University, for being part of the pioneering group that provided time, effort and resources to initially organize and launch the provincial games as part of the nationwide search for the best collegiate teams
• Commitment to an Idea Award – Anton Montinola of FEU and current UAAP president, for his valuable contributions since the inception of an idea that culminated in the creation of a league that brings together all the collegiate champions to determine the one true national champion, and for his continuing support to strengthen the process of this annual search.
• Driving Forces to a National Goal Award – Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Inc. and SMART Communications, for recognizing and providing much needed corporate support and drive to achieve the national goal to develop collegiate basketball nationwide, bringing together annually all leagues in search for the best collegiate teams and the one true Philippine collegiate champion.

The idea became a reality and has survived seven years. Thanks to all who cared.

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net for more details about PCCL.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, SalcedoVillage, 1227 MakatiCity. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.