This 1993 SEAG National team really surprised a lot of people. It was not expected to win the championship due to this team not being the cream of the crop of Philippine amateur basketball then. What I remember was Capt. Ball Onchie de la Cruz and coach Tembong Melencio being congratulated by then Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos via cell phone during the on-court championship celebration.
For UP observers, this tournament saw the emergence of a very different, much improved Poch Juinio. Poch Juinio and Chot Tanquincen would not have been a part of this team had there not been an uprising in the Philippine team camp. They were not even the stars in their respective collegiate teams.
The once tentative Juinio was now playing an instrumental role to the success of the teams he was playing for (UP among them) after his stint in the SEAG.
I believe Poch Juinio would not have the longevity he had in the PBA had he not come under the tutelage of the late great Tembong Melencio.
For UP observers, this tournament saw the emergence of a very different, much improved Poch Juinio. Poch Juinio and Chot Tanquincen would not have been a part of this team had there not been an uprising in the Philippine team camp. They were not even the stars in their respective collegiate teams.
The once tentative Juinio was now playing an instrumental role to the success of the teams he was playing for (UP among them) after his stint in the SEAG.
I believe Poch Juinio would not have the longevity he had in the PBA had he not come under the tutelage of the late great Tembong Melencio.
Comment