Schrödinger's Cat (Ateneo In The Final 4)

It's time to admit to being a geek!

 

A lot of college graduates will admit to taking a basic course in Psychology where they were introduced to Pavlov's Dog. This is often used as an analogy for a conditioned reflex or response.

 

Let me then introduce you to Schrödinger's Cat. Erwin Schrödinger was an Austrian Physicist who did a lot of work on quantum mechanics...wait...don't let your eye's glaze over just yet...it gets interesting...

 

In what is called a "thought experiment" Schrödinger proposed setting up a cat in a sealed chamber together with a Geiger counter (a device for measuring radiation) as well as a tiny bit of radioactive substance. The radioactive substance is tiny enough so that it may or may not affect the cat in the chamber.

 

Are you with me so far? Yes? No? Just read on...

 

After a period of time, one can pre-suppose that the cat may be alive or dead at the same time. You won't know the answer until you open that sealed chamber. But until that chamber is open the cat exists in two states, dead and alive. Ok, its a simplification of a theory...still, please try and follow...

 

Opening that box triggers a chain of events...these events will depend on the cat being alive or dead. Again, until you open that chamber you don't know...

 

Ok, here is my analogy...Until that last elimination round game with UST, we don't know what will happen to the Blue Eagles. Until after that game, there are two eventualities.  One is that they lose and that season is over. The other pre-supposition is that they win and maybe get into the final four, and who knows, a chain of events will see them all the way to the finals, maybe even winning the Championship. The thing is, the team has a very even chance at both. Belief and confidence may tip things in your favor, or it may not...but it's a choice. I'd rather believe in a favorable outcome than be a pessimist. In the end, for me, being right or wrong won't carry much weight.

Moving on...There is another concept very familiar to readers of graphic novels (formerly known as comic books). The hypothesis of a multiverse or parallel universes has been used extensively. Put simply, it may be possible that a finite or infinite number of realities exist at any one time.

 

It may be easier to understand this from a personal point of view. You, yes you, may have a finite or infinite number of personalities that exist all at the same time in different universes. One personality may be eating, one reading, one dying, one playing ball...each doing a different thing...all at the same time. Is this starting to make sense?

 

 

Having said that, a few may have noticed the glaring 3 point performance of Keifer in that crucial game against NU. Quite a few wondered why he was put back in with 4 and something minutes left in the game. On the other side of the coin, it is possible the same number of people were expecting him to transform into superman and save the day. We all know he struggled till the final buzzer. But before the buzzer sounded we were still hoping for a Blue Eagle win, we didn't know what the outcome would be (Schrödinger's theory again).

 

 

It may be possible that in one alternate universe, Kiefer took the final 3-point shot, made it, got fouled and sank the free throw. Or Juami Tiongson could have done it in another. Or Ateneo lost the game by 20 points in another. Maybe Kiefer was never sent back in and we may have won or lost the game. Even better, maybe in another reality Kiefer never got that season opening injury and Ateneo ended the first round with a 5-2 record. The thing is we will never know because this is our reality and we will never know the outcome in those other possible universe or realities.

 

Who knows, in another universe an alter-ego of mine is in some remote beach lounging instead of writing this. One thing's for sure, in this reality, come Wednesday, I will be there at the ADMU-UST game waiting for the box to be opened. Win or lose and all that right?

 

Blue Eagles v2013

Soon after the dust settled on the 5th straight championship of the Blue Eagles under Norman Black in September of 2012, there began whispers about the chances of the next batch to snag a 6th diadem. The 2013 version of the Eagles certainly had a lot of work to do.

 

Much has been said about the loss of Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva, Justin Chua, Oping Sumalinog and Tonino Gonzaga. Between them, they have a 21 UAAP Championship rings under their collective belts. Add 3 more CESAFI rings for Slaughter. Ditto about the coaching change as Norman Black was being re-called up to the PBA and as of September 2012 no one had any idea who was taking his place at the helm.

 

There was enough cause for concern and I, for one, couldn't wait for the Fil-Oil games to start. Sure, people used to say that the games in this tournament cannot be compared to the intensity of the UAAP games; lately though, I would have to beg to differ. Aside from tweaking their line-ups and rotation as well as scouting opposing squads, most teams have been taking these games a lot more seriously. Quite a number of games were disputed until the final seconds and a number of confrontations between players had to be quelled.

 

In a nutshell, the Fil-Oil games usually gave the fans a glimpse of what can be expected of their teams when the NCAA and UAAP seasons began. Ateneo played 8 closely packed elimination  round games. These games had to be squeezed so close to each other because their annual training camp to the US was scheduled 2 weeks after the tourney started. They played 1 game against a CESAFI team (SWU), 4 against NCAA teams (San Sebastian, EAC, Letran & LPU), and 3 against UAAP teams (UE, UST & DLSU).

Ateneo had a very small line-up. Small in the sense that they only played 11 players each game; and with Erram, Porter, Capacio and Babilonia out nursing injuries, the line-up was certainly height-challenged. In the end, often times through sheer will-power, they still managed to compile a 7-1 win-loss record. The lone loss to UST came a day after a hard fought win against San Sebastian. If you ask me, they could have won that game against UST if they had fresher legs.

 

In the tournament however, new  Head Coach Bo Perasol felt that games against UAAP teams would give him a better gauge of their progress. With that requisite, they ended up with a 2-1 record.

I tried to put things in perspective by checking on player averages (scoring, rebounds, assists and steals) for last years UAAP games and Fil-Oil 2013. By comparing them I hoped to get a better picture of the team's progress.

In terms of scoring, I tabulated the averages of the top six players of UAAP 2012 and Fil-Oil 2013.

         UAAP 2012 Player   Avg.          Fil-Oil 2013 Player      Avg. 

               Ravena         15.69               Ravena               21.75
               Salva            14.31               Newsome            10.13
               Slaughter      13.38               Pessumal              9.5
               Tiongson         8.47               Tiongson               9.29
               Buenafe          6.31               Elorde                   9.13
               Chua               5.31              Golla                     6.5    
          Total                  63.47                                         66.30

One can see that there is an increase of almost 3 average points for the present crew. One should also take note that Buenafe, who only saw action in one Fil-Oil game, was not included in the scoring tally. This is significant in pointing out that there may not be a deficit with the present teams ability to score.


We can also see increases in the scoring contribution of Ravena, Tiongson, Pessumal (.5 to 9.5), Elorde (2.81 to 9.13) and Golla (.77 to 6.5).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 Here are the comparative rebounding numbers:

        UAAP 2012 Player   Avg.          Fil-Oil 2013 Player      Avg. 
            Slaughter          9.63           Newsome             10.13
             Ravena             5.44               Ravena                  6.75
             Salva                4.81               Golla                     5.75
             Buenafe            4.81               Pessumal               4.43
             Erram               4.21               Tiongson                4.14
             Sumalinog         2.6                 Elorde                   2.75   
        Total                    31.5                                            33.45

Rebounding has also increased by an average of 2. Erram only played one game and was not included in the Fil-Oil 2013 tally. I fully expect his 2012 numbers to increase significantly once he gets his basketball rhythm.

This should be a good time to bring up Chris Newsome, who will be playing in his first UAAP campaign. He will be a force to reckon with. A smart and intense player who loves to run and jump, he has already had an impact with an average of 10.13 points and 9.63 rebounds. That's .37 rebounds short of a double-double AVERAGE. He was also able to contribute to the bottom line in assists and steals.

The next two tables are the comparative numbers in assists:

       UAAP 2012 Player   Avg.          Fil-Oil 2013 Player      Avg. 

          Ravena               3.5                Ravena                 4.25
          Tiongson             3.33              Newsome              3.38
          Buenafe              2.56              Elorde                   2.5
          Slaughter            1.75              Tiongson               2
          Salva                  1.69              Golla                     1.63
          Sumalinog             .93              Pessumal              1      
       Total                    13.76                                        14.76
 
 and steals:
        UAAP 2012 Player   Avg.          Fil-Oil 2013 Player      Avg.

          Ravena               1.0                Ravena                  1.37
          Tiongson              .73               Newsome               1.13
          Sumalinog            .67               Tiongson                1.0
          Buenafe                .44              Elorde                      .25
          Salva                    .31              Golla                        .25
          Elorde                   .13              Pessumal                0       
       Total                      3.28                                            4.0


There are also increases in averages for assists and steals. Juami Tiongson had a slight dip in his averages in the last two categories but something tells me he is just waiting for the more intense games of the UAAP. The fire will burn hotter.

Ravena, the spiritual leader of the team, has upped his numbers and has led the team in 3 of the 4 statistical groups. I know he has a lot of energy and is physically strong, I just hope that he will be able to pace himself for the duration. The team needs him on the court and at his best.

Another point guard who will make a big difference this year is Nico Elorde. His confidence has increased and so have his numbers. He will be very important to Ateneo's offensive and defensive plays. The toughness of this 4th year player cannot be questioned.

I am very glad  that Frank Golla was persuaded to  rejoin the team! He has certainly showed a renewed interest in scoring and I sincerely hope that this continues and his shoots the ball with more and more confidence. Of course his experience playing defense in the shaded lane should create a lot of offensive difficulties for opposing centers.

Aside from Coach Bo, the coaching staff is essentially intact and I can see that the communication lines are good. They have always talked about the continuity of their basketball program and this has greatly helped in developing team unity and focus.

I also have a lot of faith in Coach Bo's coaching style and philosophy. Expect him to be a calm center in the huddle when the situation gets tough. It also helps that this early he has been able to get the players to trust in him and his system.

Speaking of "System"...With Slaughter gone and with Erram just starting to get his basketball legs, it will be difficult to lob the ball to the middle and expect a double team in order to get someone open. Having a shorter line up may mean having to rely on more perimeter shooting in order to open up the middle. Coach Bo may have to resort to shooting a bit more from beyond the arc. Not having Pingoy suit up for Ateneo this year may put a crimp on things. His outside shooting will be missed but will be something to look forward to. However, the present crew has shown an improved ability to shoot the 3. During the Fil-Oil Games , these 5 players have put up impressive shooting percentages from the 3 point line:

              Player                      3 Pt. Percentage         
 
                Pessumal                  57%    (15 of 26)
                Newsome                  42%    (3 of 7)
                Elorde                       40%    (10 of 25)
                Tiongson                   30.3%  (10 of 33)
                Ravena                      25%    (5 of 20)

Von Pessumal has found a deft and deadly touch from rainbow country. Games against Letran (3 of 4) and UE (5 of 7) just showed how proficient his shooting the 3 has gotten. Word on the street is that his injury sustained in the LPU game has not affected his shooting skills.

Two of the core team players failed to see much action in the build-up to the UAAP games.

 

 

Buenafe is and always shall be Buenafe. He is in fighting form and should be all over the court. You can always count on him to contribute on an "as needed" basis. If he had a magic mirror just like the evil queen in Snow White, it would tell him that he is still the player with the highest basketball IQ in UAAP land.

 



Erram, even at half efficiency, is still going to be a reassuring presence in the middle. His toughness and hustle will surely make a big difference. This would be a great opportunity for him to emerge from behind the shadow of Greg Slaughter.

Having a competitive core is one thing. The support that will come from players off the bench is also going to count very heavily on how deep the team will go into the post-elimination round.

Aside from the usual suspects who will be getting a lot of minutes (Ravena, Buenafe, Tiongson, Elorde, Erram, Golla, Newsome and Pessumal) I also feel that Capacio and Babilonia will contribute a lot early on.

 
There were two rookies who showed glimpses of what they can do with the basketball. Earl Murphy, a 5'10'' shooting guard showed a lot of quickness and spunk on the court. In the game against a rugged (some may say "dirty") LPU team, he held his own and scored 9 points, most coming at a crucial juncture of the game that helped seal the win.

Anton Asistio, a lightning quick guard also managed to put up 5 and 6 points in games against LPU and DLSU despite limited time on the court.

Sophomore point guard Ice Lim is also expected to come off the bench, but with a team heavy on guards he should make the most of the minutes he will get. Possessing impressive upper body strength, on court smarts and offensive capabilities, Lim always comes to each game mentally ready for any challenge.

 Expect Vince Tolentino to show his wares. This rookie forward can bring the ball, rebound, defend and shoot. With an undermanned team, Tolentino got a good amount of playing time during the summer league and although he played  very steady  he needs to add more intensity to his game.

I don't know much about the last additions to the roster. Ivan Enriquez, a 6'4'' power forward was surely brought in to beef up the front line. He reminds me a lot of Jason Escueta, a tough and hard working player who can body up when defending the basket.  The last player, but by no means the least is Fran Asuncion a 5'8'' point guard who I think will have to work double hard to earn a place in this years rotation.

Now people are whispering something very different. The doubts have definitely decreased and talk of the possibilities of another banner year are getting louder. I don't expect this team to be as dominant as the other recent champion teams, although there are  holdover players who have championship experience and know what it takes. If they manage to make it to the post elimination round, then all bets are off. they will have a very good chance of going all the way.

This years version of the UAAP sees a more level playing field. All the coaches have a consensus that 7 of the 8 teams have a good chance of winning the championship. The 8th team (which will remain un-named) can actually also snatch the crown from the rest with the right breaks and attitude.

After their performance in the Fil-Oil games, I would say that the Blue Eagles have a very good chance of nailing a sixth straight title. I got a change to ask Coach Bo Perasol a question recently. I managed to interview him around March of this year when he started to hold team practices and back then he was unsure of what to expect from the team. My question to him was "how did he like his chances now after seeing his teams performance the past few months in practice and in competition?". This is what he said..."although there are still a lot of unknowns and there is a lot of work to do, there is a lot more optimism at this point".

Coaches are usually more guarded of expectations, and I think that the players are happy with their chances. One thing is for sure, everyone is raring to get on the court and play. 

Let the games begin! One Big Fight!
 

 

 

 

Apologies to Gwyne Capacio, Ivan Enriquez and Francesco Asuncion as I do not have any stock photos. This will hopefully be rectified soon.

 

Gatorade - Old Soul, New Face

 

 

 

Lightning in a bottle, it should be called.

 

Gatorade Philippines launched their new logo last Monday in a brand spanking new, impressive athletic training center in Mandaluyong.

 

 

Just like Gatorade helps top-notch athletes improve performance by replenishing rapidly lost electrolytes, this hoops center may be a one stop shop facility for improving athletic ability.

 

 

It was a well attended affair and I was able to chat with a few popular athletes from various disciplines. From among the cream of the crop, Gatorade management hand-picked a few to become brand ambassadors and be their face in Philippine sports.

 

 

With Patricia Hizon and Chiqui Reyes hosting the affair, the chosen few were introduced under the watchful eyes of Super-Athletes Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant who's images on both ends of the venue seemed to approve.

 

 

Representing the G-Rising Stars are UAAP Men's Basketball standouts Juami Tiongson (Ateneo), brothers Jeric (UST) and Jeron Teng (DLSU), Jean Mbe (NU), RR Garcia (FEU), Jericho Cruz (Adamson), and Henry Asilum (UP). . 

 

Joining the cagers on stage were volleybelles Abi Marano (DLSU), Mika Reyes (DSLU), Alyssa Valdez (Ateneo), Dennise Lazaro  (Ateneo) andTriathlon phenom Nikko Huelgas (DLSU). 

 

 

 

The G-Elite include PBA stars LA Tenorio and Calvin Abueva, elite footballers Chieffy Caligdong and the Younghusbands, Phil and James as well as champion triathlete Ani De Leon-Brown.

 

 

 

 

The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe added to the fun and festivities with an awesome cheer dance number...

 

It was a well attended affair, and a number of sports personalities showed up to lend support. Spotted were Alvin Teng and Atoy Co...

 

 





 Larry Fonacier...

 

 

Nico Salva, Von Pessumal, Kirk Long and Moriah Gingrich... 

 

 

 Jean Mbe and teammate Alfred Aroga...

 

 

Here's Juami Tiongson and Von Pessumal hamming it up a bit... 

 

 

 Mikey Rosales, Senior Product Manager for Gatorade Philippines also took the stage to explain how Gatorade, the sports drink phenomenon, got started as an experiment in 1965 and how it helped a struggling University of Florida football team. The Florida Gators won the Orange Bowl in 1967, thanks in large part to the edge given by that "magic drink" Gatorade. He also reiterated Gatorade Philippines commitment to support the country's athletes in various sports disciplines as they strive to get that winning edge in their quest for athletic glory. 

 

 

 #WinFromWithin was plastered all over the venue and by the looks of it Gatorade Philippines has started down that road in good fashion.

 

 

All in all it was a well planned affair and all the guests needs were anticipated and provided from the great food and raffle prizes to access to the athletes. As I was leaving, I was even approached by someone making sure I had my exit pass as well as assisting me  in getting out of the venue. Well done guys!

Breakthrough: Motivational Philosophies Of Coach Bo Perasol

Breakthrough /ˈbrākˌTHro͞o/
A significant and dramatic overcoming of a perceived obstacle, allowing the completion of a process

I believe that this is the first ever photo I took of Bo Perasol,  Head Coach of the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles. This was during a second round elimination game in the UAAP season 75. On the 26th of November 2012, he was appointed to take over from Coach Norman Black when the five time UAAP champion makes the move over to the PBA. Clearly, Coach Bo was quietly observing the team from the stands, but you can already see the smoldering intensity in his eyes. He may have been deep in thought, searching for some magic formula to continue the teams winning ways.

 

A lot of great thinkers and scientists live for a "eureka" moment, when everything comes together and that light bulb on top of your head burns bright. Breakthroughs and discoveries can come just like that, or sometimes they can come in periodic waves.

For Coach Bo, these deep discernments coupled with some difficult experiences have given rise to some tenets that he lives by. In a relaxed chat over lunch, he told me that he was a big believer in straight talk. He will not sugar coat the truth just to make you feel better. He realizes that being up-front builds trust and this goes a long way in developing relationships and fostering team unity.

These were, however, farthest from his mind in 1988 as a freshman in UP Diliman. As a Mass Comm undergrad living in the dorms within the campus, he had dreams of going into broadcast media or developing his love for music into a career. Basketball was, however, already in his blood and he would rush back to the student residence to catch the PBA games on TV after his classes. He eventually decided to try out for the Maroons and played for five seasons, becoming team captain in his last eligible playing year.

After graduating, the realities of life found him earning a living working for a large bank but he still managed to keep one foot in the proverbial basketball door as head coach of the Junior Fighting Maroons. This coaching job went on for 4 years. This is probably when this philosophy crystallized in his mind: That there are times when life backs you up into a corner and you have to do what you have to in order to survive. Your life is in your hands and sometimes life doesn't offer up that many options. These are, for him, character building opportunities, a measure of the man you are to become.

He later saw himself cutting his chops coaching teams in the defunct MBA. He started out with the Surigao Miners and wound up with The Laguna Lakers, a team associated with Bert Lina and  FedEx.

After his stint with the MBA, he decided to accept a corporate job that was offered to him by FedEx management because he felt that there would be more stability for him, he accepted. But life has a way of pulling him back in. Serendipity played a huge part in drawing Coach Bo back onto the court.

The group of Bert Lina decided it was best to let go of the Laguna Lakers basketball team in the MBA to be able to concentrate better on running the FedEx Express in the PBA after it took over the franchise of Tanduay. FedEx went through a number of coaching changes in it's first few years in the league. In 2005, after FedEx (the corporation) left the Philippines, the team changed it's name to the Air21 Express. They were looking for a new bench tactician after their old coach, Bong Ramos, abruptly resigned at the end of the season. Management soon realized that they had an old hand in their own back yard. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. Coach Bo Perasol eventually took over the reins of the team at the start of the 2005-2006 Fiesta Conference.

Player trades that were deemed unfavorable to the team and an untested import made Air21 the favorite for last place in the standings. This is where the motivational skills of Coach Bo started to show. When guiding his players, he makes sure that each and every one realizes how important they are to the team. No matter what role you play, there is an integral part for you on the team. This philosophy and his coaching skills produced a pleasantly surprising result in that the team placed third against Ginebra, the best finish of the team up to that point.

With steady improvement, the 2008 Fiesta Cup saw Air21 finishing first in the standings after the elimination round. Coach Perasol and the team went up against Ginebra in a gritty finals series and they pushed their erstwhile rivals to the brink only to fall short in the 7th and deciding game.   On a personal note, Coach Bo quietly mentioned that the Ginebra Kings was a team that he idolized as a youngster but he had no problems letting it all hang out and wasn't the least bit intimidated by them when he needed to prove himself.

After 4 years with the Air 21 Express, Coach Bo joined the Coca Cola Tigers in 2009 to become Director of Basketball Operations and Assistant Coach to Kenneth Duremdes. He soon took over the coaching chores from Duremdes who was elevated to Team Manager.

His early coaching jobs in the PBA were frustrating in that he would get the teams in transition or during a re-building phase. There were a lot of player movements, often times involving the teams better players, that required constant adjustments. With the Coca Cola Tigers (renamed Powerade Tigers in 2010), he felt he could finally develop a strong title contender with players he had a hand in drafting. This culminated in the Powerade Tigers reaching the finals of the 2011-12 Philippine Cup. They eventually ceded the championship to Talk n' Text 4 games to 1.

In what seemed like the ultimate act of betrayal, after the team looked like they could finally compete at a high level, the owners of Powerade decided to put  the franchise up for sale to Globalport. The teams' new owners offered the coaching job to Perasol but at around the same time he got another interesting offer...Head Coach of the multi-titled Ateneo Blue Eagles.

It certainly wasn't an easy decision to make. I think what may have swung it in Ateneos favor is that he has this paternal side to him and the opportunity to teach a college team with a system in place was very appealing. He mentioned that these young men are very impressionable at this stage in their lives and he has to watch his language and deportment because he did not want the players picking up any bad habits from him.

Fate would put a crimp on this plan. Just before the final rounds of the UAAP started, Mr. Manny Pangilinan, who had a direct hand in hiring him, and patron of the ADMU sports program cut ties with with University over perceived policy disagreements. An eventual reconciliation by the two put the partnership back on track and soon there were a number of Bo Perasol sightings.

Here he is having a chat with team manager Paolo Trillo at the Arena in San Juan during a PCCL game in November 2012. This should be a very productive partnership that has the potential to reap a lot of rewards.

He realizes that there is quite a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but the current situation of the team is a place he has found himself in a number of times in the past. A team in transition, finding itself with new faces and having to learn new plays. One thing is for certain...Coach Bo will be relying on his set of guiding principles and beliefs. It's a tried and tested system. He has counted on advice and information from the old coaching staff, and he has immersed himself in the traditions of the team. He slowly worked his way from the fringes during the PLLC games to finally leading team practices.

 

 

 

I have observed how he patiently guides the individual players and suggests ways to improve their game in a very paternal way. He has had no problems with the teams morale as he has fit in to his role quite easily. There is an excitement in the Blue side of Katipunan, the kind of thrill that one gets when going out on a first date with a long time crush.

Still, there are issues that need to be addressed. The team needs to adjust to the fact that Greg Slaughter is gone and there will probably be no more dominant center this year. The forward positions are mostly untested and the offense will have to come from more diverse options. They will need to adjust their mindset to those facts and focus on a new paradigm.

With 5 players leaving, the new crew will have to find ways to make up 39.84 points, 23.8 rebounds, 5.65 assists, and 4.82 blocks.

Of the remaining members of the team, Juami Tiongson will have to take more of a leadership role with the team. One would expect the ball to mostly be in the hands of Kiefer Ravena, Ryan Buenafe and Nico Elorde (not in that order). Von Pessumal and Gwynn Capacio will need to contribute more and I think they will be up to the task. This will also be a good time for Isaac Lim to step up and show what he's got. Frank Golla should be able to head the defensive effort on the big men. I'm hoping that he also starts to get the confidence to take more shots.

Of the "bigs", Poy Erram should be back in harness by the time the team is ready for active competition and I don't think that there will be any cobwebs on him. Providing assistance will be Kris Porter and Gib Babilonia. We expect Chris Newsome to immediately make an impact.

The Blue Eagles have always believed this dictum by Aristotle: That the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A team that is united in thought and deed exceeds individual expectations, just like a persons cumulative life experiences also create something greater than the individual. Coach Bo Perasol has certainly travelled down a well worn path, one that has brought enhanced meaning and dimension to his being. Yet, the path is by no means nearing it's end; though it may be undulating it should be leading him to greater heights.

 

Chris Newsome - Waiting To Exhale

For two years years now, I have patiently awaited the coming of Chris Newsome. Fr. Nemy Que, Ateneo basketball team Chaplain described him as the kind of person you would want to be around. It was also intimated that Chris was actually being set up to try out with some PBA teams when he first came to the Philippines to discover his roots at the age of 19.  

He was at a crossroads when Coach Norman Black told him he could finish college in the US and come back here to play pro ball or he could finish his college basketball career here.  His decision to take the difficult road to sit out 2 years for residency requirements and play college ball  here speaks of his maturity and wisdom at an early age. He knew that getting a college degree carries a lot of stock, and being in the Philippines at an earlier stage of his career will improve his chances of getting into the PBA.

Sitting out two years may have been difficult but not as much as coming to the other side of the world, living alone, not knowing anyone, adjusting to life without family and a new environment, fending for yourself, at the same time coping with school work, house chores and practice. It certainly has not been an easy journey. 

 

Having met this personable young man through  Atenean Greg Slaughter in 2011, I could sense an easy confidence in him through his ready smile and cool demeanor. Yet, I felt there was more to him, lying just below the surface. I could sense this quiet, competitive spirit waiting to explode.

It has been quite a wait and after two long years in the sidelines, he will finally get to strut and see action with the Blue Eagles, and just like a kid waiting to open his first present on Christmas morning,  he will finally get to exhale.
 

Raddy Mabasa: Hi Chris! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview. First off, everyone knows you by your nickname, but what is your given name?

 

Chris Newsome: It's Christopher Elijah Newsome.

 

RM: You are originally from the United States? Where were you born?

 

CN: Yes, I was born in San Jose, California to Eric and Carmelita Newsome.

 

RM: How tall and how heavy are you?

 

CN: I'm 6'2'' and I weigh 185 lbs.

 

RM: In one of the first few times we talked back in 2011, I remember you telling me that you played some ball in the US?

 

CN: I played for New Mexico Highlands University for 3 years. This school was in Division 2 of the NCAA. I played point and shooting guard there.

 

RM: I also heard that you were half Filipino?
 

CN: I am Fil-Am! My mom is Filipina and was born here in the Philippines. I wanted to explore the Filipino part of my heritage by coming for a visit here with my dad.

 

RM: What were the circumstances surrounding your playing for the Blue Eagles?
 

CN: During that visit I went to a practice at the Ateneo and they offered me a chance to play basketball and study there. I had to decide to either play out 1 more year in the States or transfer. I was 20 years old when I made the move here.

 

RM: So, technically, you have 2 more playing years left at the University level?
 

CN: Yes, 2 years I look forward to playing for Ateneo.
 

RM: Why did you decide on Ateneo? Given your experience playing in the US, I'm sure there were other opportunities.
 

CN: Ateneo was the best fit for me to finish my degree, coming from an American University . I just felt more comfortable going to Ateneo over any other school I looked at.

RM: What course are you enrolled in?

 

CN: AB Communications.

 

RM: What do you see yourself doing after basketball?
 

CN: After my basketball playing years, I would like to be doing something with my communications degree. Maybe in TV or music.

RM: Speaking of music, I hear you play the piano very well.

CN: I learned to play the piano by myself. I started playing the piano at about age 16 and realized I could play some songs after listening to the music track. I like playing R & B usually and some classical music. I also am trying to do some composing.
 

RM: Going back to basketball, you had to  endure a 2 year residency. How difficult was it and how did you manage not playing competitive ball during this time?
 

CN: It was very difficult to "sit out" for 2 years. There were times I get this feeling like I almost forget how to play the game (lol). I made sure to keep my mind in the game by practicing a lot and watching the guys at Team-A play. I also took mental notes and watched a lot of basketball (NBA, PBA and the UAAP). Playing with Team-B helped stoke the competitive fires.

RM: What made you decide on a two year residency and playing another two years for Ateneo instead of playing out your last year in New Mexico and turning pro?

CN: Either way, I was going to end up trying to make it to the PBA, even if I did finish my studies in the US. I felt that coming over to Ateneo was best thing for me because I get to actually study in and play for a good school. I knew that this would open doors and lead to opportunities for me after I graduate.

 

RM: What differences are there playing for Team A and B?
 

CN: The game is faster and more intellectual on Team A compared to my experience on Team B.

RM: What are you looking forward to the most in this years games?

CN: It's got to be being in the intense atmosphere of a UAAP game and being on the court playing instead of watching from the sidelines. I remember watching an Ateneo - La Salle game and the atmosphere was electric. One side of the arena was in green and other blue. Back then I was imagining myself in blue and on the court.

 

RM: Let's go back a bit to how your career started. How old were you when you got started playing organized basketball? 
 

CN: I started playing competitive basketball when I was in grade 7 but always loved playing at the parks and my backyard before that.

RM: Did someone introduce you to playing competitive ball? Did you have to go through trying out for a team?

CN: I've always had a keen interest in competitive organized basketball but there were not many leagues nearby where I was growing up. My first school try out was in my 7th grade and I did make the team!
 

RM: Did you get into any other sports before or after basketball?  Was playing another sport beneficial for you?
 

CN: I started off playing soccer and American football. Yes, they were both beneficial and have a lot to do with my athletic ability and body build. 

RM: I noticed that during practice, especially during scrimmages, you love to run, jump and dunk the ball…How did this come about?

CN: I think I have been blessed with better than average athletic ability. Would you believe that my first dunk in a game was in my 2nd year of high School?

RM: Is this a part of your basketball persona?

CN: I am definitely known for my running and jumping abilities, so I would say that, yes, this is part of my persona as a player.

RM: Ateneo has always preached the importance of defense. How would you rate yourself on defense?

CN: About a 7 out of 10, but always trying to improve. There is always room for improving on one's abilities and fine tuning your skills.

RM: Who are you closest to on the team?

CN: I'm close to all of my teammates, past and incoming, but I do have classes with Von (Pessumal) this semester so I see him more than any other teammate off the court.

 

RM: Who do you consider your biggest influence?

CN: My family has always been my biggest influence. They have supported me 100% and have been behind me since day 1. As far as players are concerned, I admire quite a few NBA players like Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Derek Rose, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving. They are very talented and great at what they do.

RM: Are you officially a Filipino Citizen? Do your basketball plans extend to the PBA?

CN: Yes, I am proudly a Filipino Citizen. After college I definitely plan on trying to extend my playing career to the PBA.

RM: How do you prepare yourself for a game? Any pre-game rituals?

CN: I like to take a quick nap, listen to loud music, some dancing and jumping around and them eat some sort of candy...Life Savers and Gummies are my favorite.

RM: What is a typical practice day like?

CN: These days its all about going to the gym, lifting weights and conditioning. Then I do some shooting and ball skills before the team practice. After our team practice I usually like to stay behind and again do some extra work on my shooting.

RM: You are really getting in shape for this years games! More or less, you have told us a bit about your basketball persona, but can you tell us, who is Chris Newsome?
 

CN: I am someone who is motivated by the people who matter most to me. My family keeps me going even though they are on the other side of the world. Other than that, I love music. Hip-Hop and R & B usually, but I am open to any kind of music. I also like playing video games like COD, 2K and FIFA and watching movies.



Chris with Ateneo basketball team Chaplain, Fr. Nemy Que.