UP's Paolo Romero, FEU's Russel Escoto, UST's Kevin Ferrer, and Ateneo's Von Pessumal. Photos by FCF Photo Staff

(Part 3 of a series)

UAAP basketball is more exciting and colorful because of the players who battle it out on the hardcourt for the glory of their respective teams. These guys stood up to the challenge of representing their schools, devoting long hours to training, pushing their bodies to the limit, pouring their hearts out. Fullcourtfresh honors them through this as-told-to special, relaying their tales of triumph and defeat, passion and determination, and dreams and resilience. Here are the young guns, the imports, the veterans, the new blood, the heartthrobs, and the standouts that made this season extraordinary for the country’s premier collegiate basketball league. Presenting: THE UAAP CLASS OF 2011. Compiled by Ericka Alcantara, Kat Angco, and Vyn Radovan

The Young Guns

Fresh from high school, Paolo Romero, Von Pessumal, Russell Escoto, and Kevin Ferrer have already made an impact—a sign of greater things to come.

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I was really excited at the start of Season 74 because I’m finally playing in the college stage—the fulfillment of one of my biggest dreams when I was a kid. I didn’t have any problems with the transition from high school to college because I can say that I carry with me some basketball experiences that made me mature in playing the game when I was in high school.

But two weeks before the season started, I suffered a shoulder dislocation injury, my third dislocation, and sobrang naiilang ako to play the entire first round. So as much as I would’ve wanted to play with the best of my ability at that time, something was bothering me and it really bothered me during the first seven games. I was always thinking of being extra careful and not doing any wrong movement that will trigger another dislocation.  With that kind of mindset, I was just limiting myself and I can’t do the things that I was really known for. As the season went by, I decided to just forget about my injury and just do what I do best because I don’t want to waste my season and all of the good opportunities presented to me.

After that, I can say that I started having my breakout games—just what I’ve been waiting to do the whole season.  I also enjoyed my season more when I ignored all of the thoughts that were bothering me. I love how my UAAP season 74 went, it wasn’t just all about me but it was also a time spent with my teammates. A great bond with my teammates definitely made this rollercoaster ride fun. Even though we lost a lot of games, the learning experience that we share with each other is truly memorable. All in all, I can say that my UAAP season 74 was a good start for my college basketball career with the UP Fighting Maroons. –Paolo Romero

High school to college is a really big transition. In fact, I would even go as far as saying it’s totally different from high school. When it comes to basketball, for example, the standard for playing is very high. Players are much more physical in college. The level of competition is a level higher simply because the talent of each player is almost always equal to the another. In academics, obviously, it has much more freedom than high school.

I’m really thankful that my teammates welcomed me very well. Coming from the Ateneo High School, I saw them every practice time and they’ve been really friendly to me then; now, they still treat me in the same way. I’m actually really close with my senior teammates, particularly Tonino Gonzaga. I also look up to him not just because he’s a great basketball player, but because he works so hard. His work ethic is, pardon for the lack of a better word, insane. I really have never seen someone so dedicated and persevering. I wish I could emulate his passion and hard work for the game.

Season 74 has been really interesting. The fans have always had our back. They are our 6th man on the court. They are the fuel to our fire. Quite simply, without them, we would have little motivation to play. The games have been exciting to say the least. Each game is a different scenario so the outcome is never decided before the jump ball. You can expect me to play with passion every game—I always play hard because that is what Ateneo basketball is all about. I will represent the Ateneo with pride in my mind and with desire in my heart. –Von Pessumal

Footnote:  Von is half-Indian. His dad is a full-blooded Indian, while his mom is Filipina with a little touch of Spanish in her blood. But, he says, “Despite this, we don’t follow any Indian traditions and certainly don’t speak the tongue.”

I definitely felt the transition from high school to college—iba na talaga ang level. College basketball is more physical, unlike in high school na more yung takbuhan, so medyo nag-adjust ako. When it came to fitting in with the team, hindi naman ako nahirapan. I’m a shy person pero once kilala ko okay na. Okay naman ang experience ko kasi para kaming magkakapatid inside and outside the court.

This Season 74, tumataas ang experience level ko kasi may quality minutes to play. Also, nakakalaro ko ang mga magagaling na player sa UAAP. Nabigla ako sa support ng mga fans. Hindi ko expect na ganun. One unforgettable fan moment that I had was when pinahawak niya sakin yung camera and then sabi ako daw kumuha. Kaming dalawa yung kinuhanan ko ng pic. Next year, I will work hard to improve my skills to compete against the other schools. –Russell Escoto

Nakakakaba is one word I can use to describe my Season 74, because ibang level na ang UAAP  kaysa sa high school. Sobrang daming nanunuod and sobrang nakakagana kasi sobrang full support ang binibigay ng bawat fan sa amin. And sobrang saya because nakaabot sa Final 4.

Ang pinagbago ng college sa high school ay mas physical na yung game. You still get the same high pero sobrang hirap na. In academics, it’s hard kasi you need to study well and do all your requirements and it needs to be on time.

Ako ay makulit, friendly , minsan shy type, at hard working person. Di naman ako nahirapan when it came to adjusting sa team dahil nga nakikita ko na sila sa gym and yung iba nakalaro and naging teammates ko na din. Tinanggap naman nila ako as a teammate and we make it a point na mag-bonding. I’m close to almost all of them. Sama sama naman kami palagi. Walang grupo grupo sa team. Sobrang saya.

For next season, i-improve ko yung mga mistakes ko nitong last season. Mas magiging mature and physical and mas tataasan pa yung pride para manalo and I will do my best para makapasok sa championship. –Kevin Ferrer