(Last of a series)

UAAP basketball is more exciting and colorful because of the players who battle it out on the hardcourt for the glory of their respective teams. These guys stood up to the challenge of representing their schools, devoting long hours to training, pushing their bodies to the limit, pouring their hearts out. Fullcourtfresh honors them through this as-told-to special, relaying their tales of triumph and defeat, passion and determination, and dreams and resilience. Here are the young guns, the imports, the veterans, the new blood, the heartthrobs, and the standouts that made this season extraordinary for the country’s premier collegiate basketball league. Presenting: THE UAAP CLASS OF 2011. Compiled by Ericka Alcantara, Kat Angco, and Vyn Radovan

The Graduating Players

Emman Monfort, Miggy Maniego, Simon Atkins, Paul Zamar, and Aldrech Ramos look back on the games they played, the friends they made, and the lessons they learned as they wore their school colors with pride.

Even when I was still in high school, I already wanted to go to Ateneo because education really counts for me. Third year high school pa lang kinuha na ko ni Coach Norman. Swerte ako na nakuha ako nila.

Balancing school and basketball was easy for me because I did the same thing in high school, but the pressure in the UAAP is different. My second year was my adjusting stage, and in my third year, I was in Team B because I needed more time to learn how to play the point guard position. The best lesson that I learned from the UAAP is that life has some opportunities that you need to grab and you always work hard—and if you work hard, you get something from it.  I eventually adjusted to Coach Norman’s system, and now we’re here.

What I love the most about playing for Ateneo is the family. It’s actually playing for others and not for yourself. My teammates are like brothers to me. I’m going to give it my best every single day for them. Since I’m graduating, the words of wisdom that I can impart on my teammates is to just give it your all every single game and follow your coaches.

I’m planning to finish my second degree, double major arts management. I’ll try my best to go pro and let’s see what happens after that. If I had to sum up my collegiate basketball experience in one word, it would be AMAZING! –Emman Monfort

Happy memories from my last game in high school came rushing back to me as I played my last college game for UP. Both, after all, are endings. That last game was just like all the other games I played, but when the final buzzer sounded, and when the coliseum barker announced that it was my final game, everything came crumbling down. Seeing my former teammates Woody Co, Martin Reyes, and Mark Lopez in the stands to support me, and all the people calling my name, was overwhelming. Ang dami palang nagsu-support sa’kin.  Of course I wanted to cap off my college basketball career with a win, but what happened, happened, and I don’t want to blame my teammates. As much as we wanted to win, so did UE.

I’m not disappointed, I’m actually happy with my UAAP career—imagine, I’m the only player to have suited up for the Maroons for nine years [since high school], even if many people criticized my decision to play college ball for UP since it’s not exactly a winning team. Playing for UP gave me an extraordinary sense of pride, and corny as it sounds, I will forever be grateful and loyal to this institution. I will definitely miss the dynamics of UP—the diversity, the freedom, all the different people you get to meet…the fishballs, the isaw.  I will miss the kulitan with my teammates in and out of the court. But like I told them, it’s just on court where we won’t be together; off court, we can be friends until we’re 70 years old.

My UAAP career may end here, but I’ll take basketball as long as it’s there. Maybe I’ll try out for the PBA DLeague, and eventually the PBA, but since that UP diploma is now within my arm’s reach, I also know I have so many other options. I can put my Tourism degree to good use, or maybe put up a business—just be an ordinary person. We’ll see. One thing’s for sure though: Next year, I will be the one there at the stands, supporting my teammates and cheering them on. –Miggy Maniego

My stay in La Salle has been a rollercoaster ride. I’ve been through everything—championship, runner-up, out of the final four, close games, big games, different coaches. That rollercoaster ride made me stronger in a way because there were a lot of challenges. The bad part about it is now that I’ve played my final game, I don’t have another chance to redeem myself.

I entered La Salle as a champion and my plan was to leave La Salle as a champion, too. Season 74 was not a good season for us but I did my best to gather something positive out of it. I’m thankful that my teammates, the coaches, and the La Salle community have been very supportive.

Going into my last game, they told me that whatever happens, I’ll be forever champion in their hearts and that made me happy. I think I enjoyed my college career so much so that the six years just flew by fast. I keep on telling my teammates to just enjoy every single day, even every single practice, and try to enjoy each other’s company and just really love the game and the people around them because sooner or later it’s going to be gone. I think that’s one of my realizations on my last game day. Every day I train, everyday I think about basketball, and then now it’s over.

I’ve been playing for La Salle since grade 7 and I guess I just need to accept the fact that my life is going to change, although it’s really sad that I have to leave them somehow. But I’ll always be a proud Lasallite.

I think after this year, most probably I’ll be sticking with La Salle still. I might help out during practices and training because I just want to give back to the community that took care of me and I also want to take care of the upcoming players. The good thing about being a Lasallian is that even after basketball they’re still going to be there. I think my future is secured just by being a Lasallian—that’s the most precious thing the institution has given me. You give everything to them and then they’ll take care of you; that’s why I love La Salle so much. –Simon Atkins

Nung last game ko was the first time na naramdaman kong malungkot before a game. Sad, because we didn’t make the Final Four. But even so, I’m still happy—I’m so blessed because I was given the chance to play for UE, and represent UE in the UAAP.

I’m really glad we won that game. I just wanted my team to win. It’s not about the graduating players, it’s about winning. Kahit gaano karaming points ang ma-score mo, kung talo kayo, that won’t matter. I think I was able to prove to myself that I can make my team win. I started in UE na saling pusa. My teammates back then motivated me to work hard. They told me hindi pwedeng lalampa lampa—work hard dapat lagi. I’m thankful that I was able to end my career well, wala ako nakaaway na coaches. I’m very thankful to my father for guiding me through all the three coaches we had in the team.

What I like most about being in UE is the fact that life here is like a home. Ang daming pwedeng gawin, hindi mo mararamdamang nag-aaral ka. Ang daming friends. They never take the game personally; win or lose, they’re always there for you. My teammates and I are like brothers: We sleep together, we eat together.

When you get to the PBA, professional na, mawawala na yung sense of pagiging kadikit yung puso nyo, yun ang mami-miss ko. Of course I want to play in the PBA, so I’m working hard to improve my game more. I’m also bulking up, kasi sa PBA, bangaan. Sana makasama ko si James Martinez and Paul Lee. The UAAP was indeed a good learning experience for me, kasi I’ve experienced being up, our winning season—14-0 kami—tapos last two years, we didn’t get to the Final Four. Parang rollercoaster talaga. –Paul Zamar

Dalawa siguro yung most memorable moment ko sa UAAP. Isa, yung naging part na ko ng Team A dahil team B ako nung first year ko. Yung isa naman, yung winning shot ko against Ateneo last last year. Masaya ang pagiging part ng FEU ko. Magkakasama kami mag-mall o mag-watch ng movies ng teammates ko. Madami din ako natutunan, especially sa basketball kasi maganda yung program, lalo na sa sports.

Dalawa lang naging coach ko sa stay ko sa FEU. Una mahirap kasi adjustments tapos last year ko pa ngayon bago yung coach pero okay lang kelangan mo magadjust kasi player ka. Di mo naman kelangan mamili ng coach. Kung sino nandiyan dapat suportahan mo siya.

Since graduating na ko, masasabi ko lang sa ibang players yung mga naging experience ko. Siyempre five years ako naglaro so maging kalmado lang, relax lang. Kasi mga bata yun eh masyado sila natetempt or di nila nacocontrol yung sarili nila pag naglalaro.

Grabe yung suporta ng mga FEU fans. Kahit sa gym pag nagpa-practice kami nandun sila nagsusuport so wala akong masabi. Siguro yung sinusupport ka ng mga FEU students, nagpapapicture sayo, is what I’ll miss the most. Siyempre iba na yung life mo outside FEU. Maraming magbabago, but for now, I’ll enjoy muna yung remaining time ko sa school. I’ll finish my Fine Arts degree. After the UAAP, magprapractice tsaka maglalaro ako for the Philippine Patriots, and then next year, magpapa-draft ako sa PBA. –Aldrech Ramos