De La Salle Zobel is now known as a point guard factory.
Kean Baclaan (DLSZ 2022) is currently carrying the torch once held by the likes of Simon Atkins (DLSZ 2006), Jeric Fortuna (DLSZ 2008), Nico Elorde (DLSZ 2010), Renzo Subido (DLSZ 2014), and Aljun Melecio (DLSZ 2016) – and he is nothing but hopeful that by staying within coach Boris Aldeguer’s system, he too could be PBA-ready and college-ready just like his kuyas.
At one point in time, it was farfetched to imagine that the faraway school inside Ayala Alabang could produce pro talents and, in particular, heady and steady playmakers. And to this day, those pioneering point guards themselves still could not believe how far they have come.
“Hanggang ngayon, I still couldn’t believe it e. Siyempre, ‘di ba, maliit ako, ‘di ko namang naisip na I could play in (the pro level),” shared Fortuna, who played five years in the PBA as well as two seasons in the Asean Basketball League after starring for University of Sto. Tomas, in the debut episode of the University Avenue webcast hosted by Migs Bustos (DLSZ 2006).
Atkins, however, begged to disagree. For the “OG” – or Zobel’s “Original Guard,” if you may – it was a foregone conclusion.
“After high school, bumabalik pa rin akong Zobel to practice with them. Dun pa lang, silang apat, I knew they were going to make it to the PBA,” recalled the six-year PBA veteran who had also ran point for the Green Archers. “‘Di ko alam bakit nila sinasabi (na ‘di nila akalain). Me and coach Boris, we always talked na they may not be as tall as other players, but grabe sila.”
DLSZ was once a relatively unknown basketball program that stood far shorter compared to the legacy built up by its Seniors counterpart in Taft Avenue. Enter Aldeguer and not long after, the team once known as the Bengals won their breakthrough championship in 2005 and then followed it up with one more in the next five years.
Along with the long-awaited titles, though, Aldeguer’s revitalizing of the program also made it possible for the green and white to now boast of having produced four guards, as well as forward David (David Joshua Spyder, if that’s how you know him) Webb, who have made it to the pros.
“Ang sarap sa feeling na makikita mo yung taga-Zobel sa PBA,” expressed Elorde, now playing for NorthPort following his time in DLSU and then archrival Ateneo de Manila University. “Na na-achieve din nila yung dream ng lahat ng basketball player.”
All four point out that their origins could be traced to the very first time they entered Gate 2 – or Gate 1, or even Gate 5 – along University Ave.
“Zobel is the complete experience. We were able to do what we love which is to play basketball and, at the same time, we had to take care of our studies and improve ourselves as people,” explained Fortuna. “‘Di talaga pwedeng puro basketball lang sa Zobel.”
That holistic education is the very reason why a kid born and bred in Valencia City, Bukidnon could become DLSZ’s first-ever Jrs. basketball MVP, DLSU’s primetime playmaker, and now, Phoenix’s newest rookie.
“Galing akong probinsya so big adjustment talaga, pero with the help of coaches, teammates, and friends, ‘di ako nahirapan,” exclaimed Melecio. “Sobrang laking tulong sakin yung Zobel kasi dun ako natutong makapag-adjust.”
The 19th overall pick in the 2021 PBA Draft is just the latest in what is now a long line of Aldeguer-raised point guards in the PBA. And his confidence all emanates from his time in DLSZ.
“Si Renzo at si coach Henri [Subido] yung rason bakit ako napunta sa Manila. Nung una, natatakot pa ako mag-UAAP kasi bata pa ako e,” he narrated. “Pero thanks to coach Bor, nung nag-try ako, kaya naman pala. Thankful ako sa kanilang lahat kasi napatunyan ko sa sarili kong kaya naman pala.”
Subido was of the same mind, saying that his time as a Jr. Archer taught him that he could compete with anybody and everybody.
“Yung nakuha ko playing for the Jr. Archers, yung competitiveness, yung ayaw magpatalo. Sa Zobel, you never back down,” he said.
Even going at each other in practices proved to be key in players’ growth as they all made sure to keep lifting up each other.
“Ako, I really improved kasi kami ni Nico magkatapat every day (in practice),” detailed Fortuna. “Si Nico, defensive player yan e, so yung toughness, yung pag-control ng temper, dun ko natutunan.”
“Si Jeric, sa kanya ako natuto pano maging leader,” replied Elorde.
DLSZ is now a point guard factory – and all PBA teams could be assured that who they have in their hands is well-made and ready-made.
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The pasture isn’t always greener on the other side. In fact, it’s the greenest along University Avenue. Continue catching all our episodes on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/delasalle.zobel) and also follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dls_zobel).
