After a 0-14 record, UP cage program in disarray

A runner-up finish in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), a decent showing in pre-season collegiate games, an extraordinary training exposure overseas and a solid recruitment program in place with promising players suiting up next season in celebration of University of the Philippines' 25th anniversary of its last championship.

For a brief period, the Fighting Maroons looked every bit a title contender in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men's basketball tournament with Aboy Castro and his troops ready to bring their game to the next level.

At least for several months, Final Four atmosphere was experienced by the UP community. It was reminiscent of its lone UAAP caging title in 1986 when the squad was then led by Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc, two members of the PBA's 25 Greatest Players, promising guard and former pro-turned-champion coach Eric Altamirano and Joey Guanio.

Early this year, the Fighting Maroons, under the brand name Pharex, were able to sneak their way into the championship round of the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup.

Aside from that solid PBL stint, the Fighting Maroons had a decent pre-season campaign, giving Castro and his wards enough reasons to feel confident in the coming UAAP basketball wars.

And then, there was a one-of-a-kind training in the world-renowned basketball academy – the Abunassar Institute of Basketball – the same institution attended by NBA superstars Chauncey Billups, Kevin Garnett, Baron Davis, and Andrei Kirilenko.

Everything seemed to be working according to Castro's plan.

"I was one of those who built the program starting 2008," Castro told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview. "I helped them out even in terms of finding people who will fund the program. It's a nice program."

But then, on hindsight, it was as good as it was going to get.

After only two games in the UAAP men's basketball tourney, matches that the Fighting Maroons lost, Castro was removed as the team's coach.

What went wrong? Why remove the man who started the program?

"Honestly, I have no idea. I cannot answer that because I am no longer part of that program. It's been more than two months since I was removed from the program," said Castro. "And I must say, it's been a great 64 days for me since then."

School loses top prospect
No less than the best high school player today, Kiefer Ravena, has expressed interest in joining UP next season.
Ateneo Blue Eaglets' Kiefer Ravena (left) tries to get past an NU defender during their game in the 73rd UAAP juniors' basketball tournament. GMANews.TV


Ravena is the son of former PBA player and now Talk 'N Text assistant coach Bong Ravena. The elder Ravena and Castro already had a mutual understanding that the RP Youth team mainstay will play for the Fighting Maroons beginning next season.

Now that Castro is out and the school's basketball program is in disarray, Ravena has decided to play elsewhere.

"Me, Bong and his son are almost seeing each other everyday. Bong and I are, of course, under one team, Talk 'N Text. I've already had a word with them regarding Kiefer's planned inclusion with the UP Maroons. But now that I'm no longer part of the program, it seems that Kiefer is not interested in joining (UP) anymore. I am the one talking to them and we had an initial agreement. Now, it seems he's headed to another (school)," said Castro.

The elder Ravena said his son is focusing in the coming UAAP juniors championship. The younger Ravena is the top player of the Ateneo Eaglets, who are aiming for a third straight crown this season against the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs.

"For now, his focus is on the coming finals," said the elder Ravena. "We have yet to decide on which team he will play or to which school he will enroll. All I want is the best opportunity for my son. A school where he can learn on the course that he wants to pursue and a school he wants to play for."

Resident players leaving UP?
Two players who underwent residency and are scheduled to play next season for the Fighting Maroons are now about to leave the squad.

Fil-American Chris Hawkins Ball, nephew of former PBA superstar Bong Hawkins of the Alaska Aces, and Nigerian center Ifaeanyi Mbah, are the two promising players who are about to suit up for the Fighting Maroons along with Ravena.

Ball stands 6-foot-5 while Mbah is a 6-foot-8 slotman and the two players will certainly provide the height and heft to boost the Fighting Maroons' chances next season.

But an alumnus who has helped the team in his personal capacity said that several players, who underwent residency for the past two years, are now thinking of not playing for the Fighting Maroons next season.

"First, it was coach Aboy who recruited them and not all conditions which were agreed upon when coach Aboy was still the coach of UP, are being followed presently," said the alumnus, who requested anonymity.

One of those resident players said that his allowances are now delayed for three to four weeks. Worse, some of them are being advised to move out of the athletes' quarters, which was provided by UP.

"I don't know why they're treating us like this. And then they will expect us to play our hearts out yet we are treated like this," said the player. "There were times we were prevented from getting food."

The same alumnus source said that the school's football team were adequately provided lodging and allowances unlike the basketball team where some of the resident players are getting frustrated and appeared headed elsewhere.

What's next for UP's basketball program?
After only two games this season, Castro was replaced by Boyet Fernandez, who was ironically taken in by the former as a consultant after UP's first game.

"I was looking for a consultant and then coach Boyet became available because Sta. Lucia was bought by Meralco," said Castro.

Not even Fernandez's winning ways could revitalize the Fighting Maroons' waning spirit as they themselves were visibly affected by the controversy surrounding the team.

In the end, the Fighting Maroons lost all their remaining games and suffered yet another dismal winless season, the second time since 2007.

While the Fighting Maroons were experiencing such debacles, Castro was getting one of the biggest breaks of his basketball career. Upon Virgil Villavicencio's appointment as Meralco's team manager he moved up from being an assistant with the Tropang Texters to the team's new manager.

"It's a great opportunity for me. It's nice to be part with a great bunch of coaches and players. It's also a great opportunity for me to learn from my bosses led by Manny V. Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas," said Castro.

Now UP's basketball program appears to be back to square one and neither Castro nor Fernandez will be there to handle the school next season.

Castro said he is unaware of the problems being experienced by the resident players.

"I'm not aware of that anymore. All I know is that I made sure that everything is already in place, including the allowances of the players as well as the place they will live in," said Castro.

An alumnus source added that because of command responsibility, the three people who are in charge of the school's basketball affairs – Atty. Jake Castro, Chitong Rivera and Bert Mendoza – should tender a courtesy resignation after the team's 0-14 record.

"They should resign as a sign of courtesy so the school will have a clean slate," said the source.

But another alumnus who had previous involvement in the school's basketball program said that these three people who headed UP's basketball affairs in the UAAP this season were mere volunteers and were helping the school in their personal capacity.

"These three individuals have great track records as far as the school's alumni is concerned. They've been helping the school in their own capacity. For example, Atty. Castro is a member of the Judicial and Bar Council, making him a very credible person," said the alumnus, who also requested anonimity.

GMANews.TV tried to reach Atty. Castro for comment, but our calls weren't answered.

Rey Joble, GMA News