5. University of the East Red Warriors
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 2 (2007, 2009)
Final Four Appearances: 8 (2002-2009)
Best Coach: Dindo Pumaren
Best Player: James Yap
The Recto-based squad finally appears in my list. The UE Red Warriors are the second most consistent team in reaching the Final Four recently. Unfortunately for them, they failed to win a single championship crown. If there was one crown they got, that would have to be ‘the bridesmaid of the decade’ crown. What worsens things is the fact that they always lose to the eventual champions. The only consolation that we can give to the Red Warriors is their recent achievement of breaking the Final Four jinx.
Nevertheless, UE is highly respected by their opponents in the hardcourt. They boast athletic big men and speedy guards like Ronald Tubid, Paul Artadi, Elmer Espiritu, Paul Lee, KG Canaleta, BonBon Custodio. They have a winning tradition in the elimination round that no matter how weak their lineup on paper is, they still manage to reach the playoffs. In this regard, I would take note of their 2004 season. They were on a rebuilding stage with Marcy Arellano as their premiere freshman but with the blitz system of new head coach Dindo Pumaren, UE managed to crack into the Final Four. From that season onwards, Dindo got my respect as a coach (I used to root for him when he was a PBA player anyway). He may have a similar system to his successful brother, Franz but pulling it off on another team which has a weaker program is remarkable. People love to tag Dindo as the unlucky charm but we must remember that he was consistent in pushing the team to the Final Four for five years. The most remarkable feat that Pumaren accomplished was when UE swept the league in eliminations of 2007. Unfortunately, their choking loss in the finals that year epitomizes what UE was for the decade.
UE produced several hardworking professional players and the best that they had was James Yap. Even in UAAP, he was very much feared because of his sniping and slashing skills. Teams had to designate double teams on James Yap just to limit his outside scoring. He won the MVP award in 2003 but was unable to give the Red Warriors their much-needed crown. The biggest reason was because UAAP was just oozing with talent in that time - Ateneo had a powerhouse squad and FEU had Arwind Santos.
6. Adamson University Soaring Falcons
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 0
Final Four Appearances: 1 (2006)
Best Coach: Leo Austria
Best Player: Ken Bono
I can still remember during high school when I commented on my friend’s basketball team. Their team was very weak and a win for them is like a championship win. I told him, “Tinatarget niyo bang maging Adamson?” The Falcons were very weak then. They wound up as the eighth placed team with barely any win. After a decade, well, they are still weak but they are more respected. Even if the Falcons have more than a decade of losing streak against Ateneo, the Soaring Falcons were still tagged as the dark horses in recent seasons (how can a bird become a horse as well? Pegasus, anyone?) . In 2006, they finally took a step forward by reaching the Final Four. They had MVP Ken Bono giving a huge scare to the Blue Eagles by shooting from anywhere before Adamson succumbed yet again to the stronger birds.
There are several reasons why the Soaring Falcons fail year in and year out. Their recruitment program is not that strong. Their losing tradition also hurts the psyche of their players. The only positive thing in their basketball program is their smart head coach, Leo Austria. He was able to bring them to their own version of Promised Land in 2006 and his smarts have helped Adamson finish 2009 with a bang by beating DLSU and UST. Adamson may have fewer wins than UP for the whole decade but at least they reached the Final Four.
7. National University Bulldogs
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 0
Final Four Appearances: 1 (2001)
Best Coach: Manny Dandan
Best Player: Jeff Napa/Froilan Baguion
It is such a sight to place NU on 7th and not on 8th in my rankings. They always place last so this is a new thing going for them. The primary reason why they edge out UP is because NU reached the Final Four. Being part of the upper half is huge because you theoretically have a 25% chance to be the champion. However, NU has been known as the consistent cellar dwellers of the decade. In fact, they never placed fifth or higher with the exception of their 2001 campaign.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs get a positive nametag because they have always spawned upsets through the years. They broke Ateneo’s winning streak in 2003. NU defeated Ateneo in a game that mattered more to the latter in 2007. This caused the Eagles to lose their sure footing on the second spot of that sweep year. NU spoiled FEU in the 1st round of 2008 which would eventually be pivotal as FEU was not able to edge out La Salle in the wins to get the twice-to-beat advantage. Finally, NU’s previous benefactors, DLSU Green Archers, were upset in their last shot for a ticket to the Final Four recently. NU may have a weak basketball program but they have the heart to fight for their pride. The decade ends with Henry Sy owning the school. This is a sign of things to come as the basketball program could have a U-Turn by the turn of this decade.
8. University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 0
Final Four Appearances: 0
Best Coach: Joe Lipa/Aboy Castro
Best Player: Marvin Cruz
It is a disappointing decade for the basketball of the boys from Diliman. Their Katipunan rivals are in the top while they are in the bottom. The primary reason for this is because they failed to reach the Final Four in any year. They may have a better showing than Adamson and NU in some years but they were all eliminated in any way you look at it. UP also had the infamous 0-14 season in 2007 and with a high caliber university, they could have a stronger basketball program. One may contend that they do not have the enthusiastic alumni support that Ateneo and La Salle boasts of but we must remember that UP used to be competitive in basketball. In fact, they were Ateneo’s first basketball rivals at the infancy years of NCAA. OK, the alumni from then were very old to support but UP won in 1986 (UE’s drought is longer than UP’s).
Actually, the alumni support is somehow seen in some recruiting efforts. UP had high school standouts Jay-R Reyes, Marvin Cruz, Martin Reyes, Mark Juruena and Woody Co. Unfortunately, the cager squad just could not dominate. It is actually sad because UP has one of the most passionate fans when you watch live. They do not come in throngs like that of Ateneo’s and La Salle’s but you can feel their school spirit when they shout “U!” or “UP, Fight!” That sight must have been similar to Ateneo’s “One Big Fight!” in the cellar years of the ‘90s. Will UP emerge in the next decade? Who knows? Maybe you will see those passionate Maroon fans cheering ecstatically in a basketball championship. Outside of the Big Five, UP has the most basketball crowns so the winning tradition can be enkindled.
Conclusion
If one would observe how things transpired this decade, we can say that it is boring in the sense that the same strong teams just stay on top, year in and year out. My take on it is that winning tradition matters. Champion teams and schools know what it takes. You see champion teams peaking in the crucial stages (i.e., DLSU circa 2007). Even champion crowds do the extra step by being very resourceful by lining up for tickets or seats. Norman Black mentioned that it feels like he has homecourt advantage in every Ateneo game as the blue crowd usually bleeds over the other side. This is why you see the teams with the most championship titles continue to stack on their achievements year after year. The Big Five composed of Ateneo, FEU, UST, UE and DLSU have owned the UAAP tourneys this decade and I will not be surprised if the winning tradition continues in the future.
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 2 (2007, 2009)
Final Four Appearances: 8 (2002-2009)
Best Coach: Dindo Pumaren
Best Player: James Yap
The Recto-based squad finally appears in my list. The UE Red Warriors are the second most consistent team in reaching the Final Four recently. Unfortunately for them, they failed to win a single championship crown. If there was one crown they got, that would have to be ‘the bridesmaid of the decade’ crown. What worsens things is the fact that they always lose to the eventual champions. The only consolation that we can give to the Red Warriors is their recent achievement of breaking the Final Four jinx.
Nevertheless, UE is highly respected by their opponents in the hardcourt. They boast athletic big men and speedy guards like Ronald Tubid, Paul Artadi, Elmer Espiritu, Paul Lee, KG Canaleta, BonBon Custodio. They have a winning tradition in the elimination round that no matter how weak their lineup on paper is, they still manage to reach the playoffs. In this regard, I would take note of their 2004 season. They were on a rebuilding stage with Marcy Arellano as their premiere freshman but with the blitz system of new head coach Dindo Pumaren, UE managed to crack into the Final Four. From that season onwards, Dindo got my respect as a coach (I used to root for him when he was a PBA player anyway). He may have a similar system to his successful brother, Franz but pulling it off on another team which has a weaker program is remarkable. People love to tag Dindo as the unlucky charm but we must remember that he was consistent in pushing the team to the Final Four for five years. The most remarkable feat that Pumaren accomplished was when UE swept the league in eliminations of 2007. Unfortunately, their choking loss in the finals that year epitomizes what UE was for the decade.
UE produced several hardworking professional players and the best that they had was James Yap. Even in UAAP, he was very much feared because of his sniping and slashing skills. Teams had to designate double teams on James Yap just to limit his outside scoring. He won the MVP award in 2003 but was unable to give the Red Warriors their much-needed crown. The biggest reason was because UAAP was just oozing with talent in that time - Ateneo had a powerhouse squad and FEU had Arwind Santos.
6. Adamson University Soaring Falcons
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 0
Final Four Appearances: 1 (2006)
Best Coach: Leo Austria
Best Player: Ken Bono
I can still remember during high school when I commented on my friend’s basketball team. Their team was very weak and a win for them is like a championship win. I told him, “Tinatarget niyo bang maging Adamson?” The Falcons were very weak then. They wound up as the eighth placed team with barely any win. After a decade, well, they are still weak but they are more respected. Even if the Falcons have more than a decade of losing streak against Ateneo, the Soaring Falcons were still tagged as the dark horses in recent seasons (how can a bird become a horse as well? Pegasus, anyone?) . In 2006, they finally took a step forward by reaching the Final Four. They had MVP Ken Bono giving a huge scare to the Blue Eagles by shooting from anywhere before Adamson succumbed yet again to the stronger birds.
There are several reasons why the Soaring Falcons fail year in and year out. Their recruitment program is not that strong. Their losing tradition also hurts the psyche of their players. The only positive thing in their basketball program is their smart head coach, Leo Austria. He was able to bring them to their own version of Promised Land in 2006 and his smarts have helped Adamson finish 2009 with a bang by beating DLSU and UST. Adamson may have fewer wins than UP for the whole decade but at least they reached the Final Four.
7. National University Bulldogs
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 0
Final Four Appearances: 1 (2001)
Best Coach: Manny Dandan
Best Player: Jeff Napa/Froilan Baguion
It is such a sight to place NU on 7th and not on 8th in my rankings. They always place last so this is a new thing going for them. The primary reason why they edge out UP is because NU reached the Final Four. Being part of the upper half is huge because you theoretically have a 25% chance to be the champion. However, NU has been known as the consistent cellar dwellers of the decade. In fact, they never placed fifth or higher with the exception of their 2001 campaign.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs get a positive nametag because they have always spawned upsets through the years. They broke Ateneo’s winning streak in 2003. NU defeated Ateneo in a game that mattered more to the latter in 2007. This caused the Eagles to lose their sure footing on the second spot of that sweep year. NU spoiled FEU in the 1st round of 2008 which would eventually be pivotal as FEU was not able to edge out La Salle in the wins to get the twice-to-beat advantage. Finally, NU’s previous benefactors, DLSU Green Archers, were upset in their last shot for a ticket to the Final Four recently. NU may have a weak basketball program but they have the heart to fight for their pride. The decade ends with Henry Sy owning the school. This is a sign of things to come as the basketball program could have a U-Turn by the turn of this decade.
8. University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 0
Final Four Appearances: 0
Best Coach: Joe Lipa/Aboy Castro
Best Player: Marvin Cruz
It is a disappointing decade for the basketball of the boys from Diliman. Their Katipunan rivals are in the top while they are in the bottom. The primary reason for this is because they failed to reach the Final Four in any year. They may have a better showing than Adamson and NU in some years but they were all eliminated in any way you look at it. UP also had the infamous 0-14 season in 2007 and with a high caliber university, they could have a stronger basketball program. One may contend that they do not have the enthusiastic alumni support that Ateneo and La Salle boasts of but we must remember that UP used to be competitive in basketball. In fact, they were Ateneo’s first basketball rivals at the infancy years of NCAA. OK, the alumni from then were very old to support but UP won in 1986 (UE’s drought is longer than UP’s).
Actually, the alumni support is somehow seen in some recruiting efforts. UP had high school standouts Jay-R Reyes, Marvin Cruz, Martin Reyes, Mark Juruena and Woody Co. Unfortunately, the cager squad just could not dominate. It is actually sad because UP has one of the most passionate fans when you watch live. They do not come in throngs like that of Ateneo’s and La Salle’s but you can feel their school spirit when they shout “U!” or “UP, Fight!” That sight must have been similar to Ateneo’s “One Big Fight!” in the cellar years of the ‘90s. Will UP emerge in the next decade? Who knows? Maybe you will see those passionate Maroon fans cheering ecstatically in a basketball championship. Outside of the Big Five, UP has the most basketball crowns so the winning tradition can be enkindled.
Conclusion
If one would observe how things transpired this decade, we can say that it is boring in the sense that the same strong teams just stay on top, year in and year out. My take on it is that winning tradition matters. Champion teams and schools know what it takes. You see champion teams peaking in the crucial stages (i.e., DLSU circa 2007). Even champion crowds do the extra step by being very resourceful by lining up for tickets or seats. Norman Black mentioned that it feels like he has homecourt advantage in every Ateneo game as the blue crowd usually bleeds over the other side. This is why you see the teams with the most championship titles continue to stack on their achievements year after year. The Big Five composed of Ateneo, FEU, UST, UE and DLSU have owned the UAAP tourneys this decade and I will not be surprised if the winning tradition continues in the future.
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