Llanto and Ramirez: from buddies to USC power duo

By Marian C. Baring
Sunstar
October 19, 2007

The just-concluded Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc (Cesafi) season was a fulfillment to a lifelong dream shared by two buddies, Enrico Llanto and Niño Ramirez of University of San Carlos Warriors.

The dream to defeat the imperial Lancers happened at the most opportune time as the two steered USC to beat the University of the Visayas twice in a championship series that could be their final year in collegiate basketball.

Though they eventually lost to UV, they gave the latter a run for their money as the Warriors stretched the Lancers to their limits in their best-of-five championship series before the Lancers won Game 5, 82-73.

How did you become friends?

Llanto– We felt an instant connection because we both had abnormal heights in grade school. We were the biggest and tallest kids in the classroom and at first we felt alienated and that was also the factor why we became friends.

When did you start playing competitive basketball together?

Ramirez- In Grade 5, Bogs (Llanto) and I wanted to play together in the SBP (Small Basketeers of the Philippines of Milo Best). But he was not accepted because he was too tall and he exceeded the height limit. I remembered him crying out loud when he wasn’t allowed to compete.

Llanto-We played together in Grade 6 in the Passerelle division until high school. We eventually parted ways in college.

How did college ball start out for you?

Ramirez– We still both went to Manila. I played for Ateneo and Bogs played for the University of the Philippines. But eventually, almost at the same time also, we went back to USC. Just months apart. For my part, I have foreseen that I did not have a future there that I could not finish school there that was why I decided to go home. I guess you could say USC is our home.

Llanto– I was just there a few months. When Niño was with Ateneo, I also wanted to go to Ateneo. So when he went home, I decided to go home also.

Ramirez-And when we came home, we were both bloated as we gained a lot of weight.

As friends and as basketball players, what were your goals?

Ramirez– Our main goal really was to defeat UV. Even just once. We had that mission in mind since we were in high school because we have not won against them ever.

Well, until this year, our last year. And we did it twice.

What makes your partnership on court click?

Ramirez – We share. We support each other. It is okay with me if he scored and it’s okay with him if I scored. We don’t fight and there is no jealousy between us.

Llanto– Off court, we cover each other up from girls, from our parents. (laughter) We are classmates so we also help each other out in that department.

What is at stake for you now that you have graduated?

Llanto – I can’t tell really. I’m still having second thoughts if I will still play next season. I have a whole year to think about it. (To be continued)

What about for you (Ramirez) now that you have used up all your playing years in the Cesafi?

Ramirez– I’m still waiting for a team to get me. So right now, I’m standing by for that. But while I’m at it, I will finish school so that I can graduate. I still have 20 units left.
Do you hope to get into the PBA or other commercial leagues? Or go into the corporate world?

Llanto– I’ll work but not here. Somewhere else but definitely not here. With regards to the PBA, the two of us will always have that dream. That has never gotten out of our sights, but we just want to make sure that we will have a fallback because we will never know what will happen in the future. We might have injuries like before so we really need to have a plan B. That’s why we were serious in our studies.

What have you observed about the support from your fellow students this year?

Llanto– We came from Manila and we all know how high the support system of each school were. And we felt that here this year.

Ramirez– The support is overwhelming. Most especially when Sir Saso brought his PE students to the games. That had really started the interest of the students for the team and we are very grateful of him.

Llanto– Before, we already had a group of supporters but we always lost so it became silent. Another reason for the support would be my good-looking teammates, who are the real crowd-drawers.

What about the administration’s support?

Llanto- They are very supportive. But in terms of the facilities, even allowances among other things, there is still room for improvement.

With Cesafi, what can you suggest to improve the league from the athlete’s point of view?

Ramirez–Next time, they should only let those who are going into classes play. We really felt that we were at the disadvantage because during Game 4 (where they still won), we came from the finals exams and we were exhausted, while our counterparts were very relaxed because all they think of is basketball.

Llanto- Cesafi officials should also improve. I know I would have no reasons to complain because they love me (he is two-time MVP), but I could not understand why they don’t like Niño. Imagine, for two straight years, they never included him in the mythical five. He is really good. Statistics-wise, he scored higher than me. It is not fair to him because he worked really hard this season.

Did you expect to win the MVP again this year?

Llanto- No because there were many good players. Also, in our team, it was Niño who did most of the scoring.

Do you have any regrets or things do you wish you can take back this season?

Ramirez – I speak for both of us, since our first year until our last year, we have no regrets. Lingaw kaayo mi sa among college basketball career. We do not want it any other way. (MCB)