GAINST three defenders, UST Tigers team captain Allan Evangelista drilled a fadeaway shot that could have salvaged the win for the Tigers in Game 1 of the Finals if only Doug Kramer was not left open for the marginal basket. But after the Game 1 debacle, Evangelista still stood tall. In Game 2, he registered 10 points and three rebounds in 25 minutes to help the Tigers smother the Blue Eagles, 87-71. He capped his UAAP career with seven points and four assists despite foul trouble.
“I was disappointed, but I did not let the loss get affect me,” Evangelista said referring to UST’s heartbreaking defeat in Game 1. “After the loss, I still thanked God and said to myself that maybe the game was not really meant for us.”
Slowly but surely Evangelista started playing basketball when he was in grade four, but did not take the sport seriously.
His hobby, however, spelled opportunities. In high school, Evangelista played for perennial NCAA Final Four contender San Sebastian College Staglets. But for his collegiate basketball career, Evangelista sought to transfer to another school, sensing San Sebastian was giving more priority to Filipino-American recruits.
In 2001, Evangelista tried out for the Tigers as a walk-in applicant, got in, and started donning the Tigers’ uniform in 2003. Evangelista, however, only saw limited action on the court as he could not crack the regular rotation at forward. Iago Raterta, Dondon Villamin, Christian Luanzon and Warren de Guzman got the bulk of the minutes at the position. Riding the bench, however, did not dampen Evangelista’s drive to play basketball. Instead, it motivated him to work on his game. Eventually, his efforts bore fruit as he was named team captain of the Growling Tigers for Season 69.
Already known as a deadly three-point shooter, Evangelista also showed versatility this year with a marked improvement in his inside game.
“Allan (Evangelista) is dependable on offense and defense as he is very intense and focused,” Asst. coach Rabbi Tomacruz told the Varsitarian.
True enough, Evangelista propelled the Tigers in crucial games, the most notable of which was the 88-80 second-round, overtime win against the Blue Eagles with Jojo Duncil, Anthony Espiritu, and Jun Cortez on sickbay. He recorded a career-high 30 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, showing that he was no pushover.
Leading the lair
Evangelista said being the team skipper takes more than being the eldest in the team.
As team captain, he is also expected to be tough as nails not only physically but also psychologically.
“I helped Coach Pido in encouraging my teammates never to give up especially when we suffered four straight losses in the first round.” Evangelista said.
Inspired by Evangelista’s leadership, the other Tigers stepped their game up one by one.
“The most unforgettable lesson Allan taught me was that I should learn how to play tough when needed, even during practices. Because if I wouldn’t, I would be left out” said Dylan Ababou, Evangelista’s back-up at forward. “He is a very intense player.”
Bittersweet exit
The championship, no matter how memorable, would also be bittersweet for Evangelista who will be graduating this March.
“At first, I really could not believe that we are already the UAAP champions because in the previous years, we were not even contenders,” he said. “The Tigers winning the UAAP title is so memorable that I will be leaving the team with a heavy heart.”
The bulky forward also hopes that the 2006 UST Tigers’ feat would still be remembered in the coming years, like that of “four-peat” team because they really put their hearts into it.
“I somehow hope that after five to seven years, people will still talk about us and what we did, though we are already not part of the team,” Evangelista said.
Indeed, Evangelista has a lot to learn in basketball. But with his discipline, patience, and hardwork, learning will definitely be easy for him when he shoots for the bigger leagues.
