Freedom, finally, for Nonoy Baclao
He was consumed by paralyzing self-doubt; a career that had a ton of potential, suddenly stopped dead on its tracks. But even the bleakest of situations can have that little glimmer of hope. Even the toughest of times can serve a purpose. In the dark, a fire can be reignited as easily as it was extinguished.
Nonoy Baclao was drafted first overall in the 2010 PBA Draft. He was selected ahead of his more-celebrated frontcourt partner Rabeh Al-Hussaini, although they were picked by the same Air21 Express team. His selection as the first pick surprised a few, but team management said that it was to help build Baclao’s confidence and fast-track his way to PBA stardom.
He played a vital role on a struggling Air21 team, but even when they were losing a lot of games, the future looked promising for the franchise. They had a team comprised of young guys who would learn together and be a force in a few years time. This however lasted until their management decided to give away their first three picks to the San Miguel Beermen (now known as the Petron Blaze Boosters). Baclao, Al-Hussaini, and third selection Rey Guevarra all packed their bags for what were supposed to be greener pastures. And then, nothing. Absolutely nothing.
“Nakakasira ng ulo, nakakasira ng kumpiyansa.” This was how Baclao described his days riding the far end of Petron’s bench. “Pero wala naman akong sama ng loob sa kanila. Ganun lang talaga ‘pag sobrang lakas ng team,” he added.
Baclao knew that he could contribute to the team, but with an All-Star cast of players, the coaches found it hard to give him some playing time.
Petron’s veterans tried their best to reassure Baclao. “Tiyaga-tiyaga lang yan, darating din ang oras mo,” Danny Ildefonso would tell Baclao. But it never came. He worked hard in practice but that one opportunity to prove his true worth never came. Petron saw something in Baclao, that’s why they traded for him. But they were unable and unwilling to give him the floor time to fulfill his potential.
Thus, #FreeNonoy was born, an internet movement aimed at forcing Petron to either give Baclao minutes or trade him to a team that would. The movement got what it wanted when Baclao found his way out of Petron and back into an Air21 jersey. And in his first game as a member of the Express, Baclao showed the Ube Republic exactly what he is capable of.
He scored 12 points in the first half of their game against Barako Bull Energy Cola. His career high before yesterday was 11 points. His former Petron teammates, who littered the baseline while waiting for their own game, were cheering Baclao’s every basket. At one point, he even approached Denok Miranda, one of his kuyas on the team, to give him a high five.
“Lahat kasi nung tira ko pumasok. Lumapit lang ako para sabihin sa kanila na parang birthday ko,” Baclao joked.
Although Barako Bull took the lead going into the halftime intermission, Baclao was the one called to be interviewed. I asked him if it was first time to be featured on the usual player interviews before the break. He replied with a meek, “Oo, okay pala.”
He continued to play his career game in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Baclao scored on a jumper to put his team up 83-82. He followed this up with a two-handed block on Doug Kramer to force a jumpball. It was a vintage Nonoy "Block-lao" rejection, reminding everyone of what he did to former-Green Archer Rico Maierhofer in the 2008 UAAP Finals. Franz Pumaren, current Air21 and head coach of that DLSU team, sure likes the feeling of having Baclao on his team for a change.
“Iba klaseng kumpiyansa ang binigay sa akin ni Coach Franz,” shared Baclao. “Kung player ka, kahit medyo mababa ang tingin mo sa sarili mo, ‘pag alam mong may tiwala sa’yo yung coach, gaganahan ka talaga.”
The game went down the wire. Barako Bull held a one-point lead with Air21 having possession. Baclao played a two-man game with Mark Isip but the two botched a play that resulted in a turnover and two more points to seal the deal for their opponents.
His last turnover was costly but these are growing pains. It is the first time in his professional career that Baclao was actually involved in a play that would win it or lose it for their team. He used to watch plays like this on the far end of bench, without a single bead of sweat on his body. Now he gets to be a part of it and, for Baclao, there is no greater feeling. Baclao is free but freedom comes with a cost. In this game, freedom’s cost was the responsibility to carry this team to a victory.
“Masaya ako na nakalaro na ako ulit,” Baclao said after the game. “Halos isa’t kalahating taon din ako di nakapaglaro ng maayos.” He was disappointed about the loss but he was ecstatic that he was given the chance to play again.
It was hard to stay invested while playing for a team like Petron. Baclao had nothing to do in all their wins. He couldn’t do anything to avert any of all their losses. But with Air21, every win or loss will be partly because of him.
The legendary Jojo Lastimosa walked into the dugout after the game. “Huwag mo akong ipapahiya ha,” he told Baclao, whom he called his pick to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award. “Susubukan ko sir,” Baclao replied.
Baclao's time buried on a Petron bench filled with superstars was painful but reminded him just how much he loves the game of basketball. With Air21, he was just thankful for the opportunity to start again. Danny I, was right. Oras-oras lang yan. It just so happened that Baclao’s time came after he was traded to Air21, but his time came nonetheless. Baclao knows exactly what it feels to have his butt glued on the bench for the entire game and he’ll do everything in his power not to let that happen again.
“Alam ko na maraming naghintay na makita akong maglaro ulit. Sana lang di ko sila ma-disappoint.”
Nonoy Baclao's averages, over his three years in the PBA
So we bid you adieu, #FreeNonoy. You consoled us when we were in pain. You gave us strength when it felt impossible to move forward. You can rest now and we hope never to see you again. - AMD, GMA News''
Nonoy Baclao was drafted first overall in the 2010 PBA Draft. He was selected ahead of his more-celebrated frontcourt partner Rabeh Al-Hussaini, although they were picked by the same Air21 Express team. His selection as the first pick surprised a few, but team management said that it was to help build Baclao’s confidence and fast-track his way to PBA stardom.
He played a vital role on a struggling Air21 team, but even when they were losing a lot of games, the future looked promising for the franchise. They had a team comprised of young guys who would learn together and be a force in a few years time. This however lasted until their management decided to give away their first three picks to the San Miguel Beermen (now known as the Petron Blaze Boosters). Baclao, Al-Hussaini, and third selection Rey Guevarra all packed their bags for what were supposed to be greener pastures. And then, nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Baclao (right) saw precious little time as a Blaze Booster, often coming in when the game was already decided or when the team was beset by injuries or foul trouble. KC Cruz
“Nakakasira ng ulo, nakakasira ng kumpiyansa.” This was how Baclao described his days riding the far end of Petron’s bench. “Pero wala naman akong sama ng loob sa kanila. Ganun lang talaga ‘pag sobrang lakas ng team,” he added.
Baclao knew that he could contribute to the team, but with an All-Star cast of players, the coaches found it hard to give him some playing time.
Petron’s veterans tried their best to reassure Baclao. “Tiyaga-tiyaga lang yan, darating din ang oras mo,” Danny Ildefonso would tell Baclao. But it never came. He worked hard in practice but that one opportunity to prove his true worth never came. Petron saw something in Baclao, that’s why they traded for him. But they were unable and unwilling to give him the floor time to fulfill his potential.
Thus, #FreeNonoy was born, an internet movement aimed at forcing Petron to either give Baclao minutes or trade him to a team that would. The movement got what it wanted when Baclao found his way out of Petron and back into an Air21 jersey. And in his first game as a member of the Express, Baclao showed the Ube Republic exactly what he is capable of.
He scored 12 points in the first half of their game against Barako Bull Energy Cola. His career high before yesterday was 11 points. His former Petron teammates, who littered the baseline while waiting for their own game, were cheering Baclao’s every basket. At one point, he even approached Denok Miranda, one of his kuyas on the team, to give him a high five.
“Lahat kasi nung tira ko pumasok. Lumapit lang ako para sabihin sa kanila na parang birthday ko,” Baclao joked.
Although Barako Bull took the lead going into the halftime intermission, Baclao was the one called to be interviewed. I asked him if it was first time to be featured on the usual player interviews before the break. He replied with a meek, “Oo, okay pala.”
He continued to play his career game in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Baclao scored on a jumper to put his team up 83-82. He followed this up with a two-handed block on Doug Kramer to force a jumpball. It was a vintage Nonoy "Block-lao" rejection, reminding everyone of what he did to former-Green Archer Rico Maierhofer in the 2008 UAAP Finals. Franz Pumaren, current Air21 and head coach of that DLSU team, sure likes the feeling of having Baclao on his team for a change.
“Iba klaseng kumpiyansa ang binigay sa akin ni Coach Franz,” shared Baclao. “Kung player ka, kahit medyo mababa ang tingin mo sa sarili mo, ‘pag alam mong may tiwala sa’yo yung coach, gaganahan ka talaga.”
Nonoy Baclao moves to swat Barako Bull's Josh Urbiztondo, in what was perhaps his best performance to date in the PBA. KC Cruz
The game went down the wire. Barako Bull held a one-point lead with Air21 having possession. Baclao played a two-man game with Mark Isip but the two botched a play that resulted in a turnover and two more points to seal the deal for their opponents.
His last turnover was costly but these are growing pains. It is the first time in his professional career that Baclao was actually involved in a play that would win it or lose it for their team. He used to watch plays like this on the far end of bench, without a single bead of sweat on his body. Now he gets to be a part of it and, for Baclao, there is no greater feeling. Baclao is free but freedom comes with a cost. In this game, freedom’s cost was the responsibility to carry this team to a victory.
“Masaya ako na nakalaro na ako ulit,” Baclao said after the game. “Halos isa’t kalahating taon din ako di nakapaglaro ng maayos.” He was disappointed about the loss but he was ecstatic that he was given the chance to play again.
It was hard to stay invested while playing for a team like Petron. Baclao had nothing to do in all their wins. He couldn’t do anything to avert any of all their losses. But with Air21, every win or loss will be partly because of him.
The legendary Jojo Lastimosa walked into the dugout after the game. “Huwag mo akong ipapahiya ha,” he told Baclao, whom he called his pick to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award. “Susubukan ko sir,” Baclao replied.
Baclao's time buried on a Petron bench filled with superstars was painful but reminded him just how much he loves the game of basketball. With Air21, he was just thankful for the opportunity to start again. Danny I, was right. Oras-oras lang yan. It just so happened that Baclao’s time came after he was traded to Air21, but his time came nonetheless. Baclao knows exactly what it feels to have his butt glued on the bench for the entire game and he’ll do everything in his power not to let that happen again.
“Alam ko na maraming naghintay na makita akong maglaro ulit. Sana lang di ko sila ma-disappoint.”
Nonoy Baclao's averages, over his three years in the PBA
| Season | Team | GP | Mins | Pts | Rebs | Asts | Stls | Blks |
| 2010-11 | Air21 Express/Petron Blaze Boosters | 35 | 18.46 | 3.40 | 5.17 | 1.11 | 0.20 | 1.49 |
| 2011-12 | Petron Blaze Boosters | 28 | 10.64 | 2.04 | 3.11 | 0.32 | 0.18 | 0.71 |
| 2012-13 | Air21 Express | 1 | 32.00 | 18.00 | 4.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
So we bid you adieu, #FreeNonoy. You consoled us when we were in pain. You gave us strength when it felt impossible to move forward. You can rest now and we hope never to see you again. - AMD, GMA News''
No comments:
Post a Comment