San Beda relives Caloy Loyzaga’s golden era

By Manolo Iñigo
Inquirer
Last updated 07:01am (Mla time) 10/02/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- While it is too early to talk about it, I say prospects look good for San Beda College, the back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association champion, to score a “three-peat” and relive the good old days in the 1950s when the legendary Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga led the Red Lions to three NCAA titles.

San Beda did it in 1951, 1952 and 1955 to retire the then much-coveted Zamora Trophy.

But unlike in the past, when the forbidding presence of the 6-foot-3 Loyzaga (a rarity among local players at that time) turned impending defeat into victory, hence the apt moniker “The Big Difference,” this year’s champion San Beda team banked heavily on a trio of cagers to nail its 13th NCAA title behind Letran College (15), the losing finalist this year and former member Ateneo de Manila University (14).

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Playing big roles for the winners were mohawk-haired Ogie Menor, a well-built, 20-year-old 6-foot-3 prized forward who was named the Finals MVP; pro-bound Yousif Aljamal, a sweet-shooting 6-4 player who is set to join Talk ‘N Text in the PBA this season; and tall and beefy Sam Ekwe, the 6-foot-8 Nigerian rebounder, who won last year’s MVP award.

Although two players will be missed next season -- Aljamal and reserve forward Raymund Maggay, who is graduating -- the team is close to intact.

Thus, it is safe to say that San Beda coach Frankie Lim is extremely lucky since two talented players from the team’s junior ranks are slated to beef up his team, namely, the 6-foot-5 Kevin Udo, another Nigerian who has the makings of a future Ekwe; and last year’s juniors Top Rookie-MVP 6-foot-4 Elvin Pascual.

Lim is also counting on his other impact-performers like Borgie Hermida, Pong Escobal, Chico Tirona, top rookie Dave Marcelo, Bam-Bam Gamalinda, Jay-R Taganas, Ed Tecson and Garvo Lanete.

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A dynasty in the making?

“We are not really talking about that,” said the 47-year-old Lim, who played for the champion San Beda team in 1977 and 1978. “Masyadong maaga (It’s premature).”

But he said that it felt great winning the title on his maiden stint as coach. “It’s very rewarding.”

Praising his players, Lim said they are all intelligent, may puso (with a fighting heart). “We’re up against a tough team (Letran) but I told them not to doubt their capabilities.”

“I got my confidence when my shots started to go in,” stressed Menor, who topscored for San Beda with 25 points in Game 2 after hitting 23 in Game 1, two games the Red Lions won to sweep the best-of-three title series.

Aljamal said it was time to celebrate. He missed two games of the final eliminations after he was barred by NCAA officials for failing to ask the permission of the league when he joined the PBA Rookie Draft a few weeks ago. But he was able to rejoin the team in the Final Four.