For 14 years, Joe Silva was one of the loyal soldiers of the Ateneo de Manila University. But he had to move on in order to grow.
Last April – a few months after winning his second championship in the UAAP Juniors Basketball division with the Blue Eaglets in seven years – Silva moved from Katipunan to Recto to coach the University of the East Red Warriors.
But as he remained in the UAAP, Silva has come to the realization that there will be a day that he will face his former wards. Wednesday afternoon, he had to face the music.
“Weird siya. Sobrang weird.
“For me, it’s nothing, it’s just a game. Weird talaga knowing that you’re on the other side of the fence,” disclosed Silva.
And it was his former players who had a hand in dealing the Red Warriors their worst loss of the season, 62-89.
Anton Asistio and Jolo Mendoza had nine markers respectively, while Thirdy Ravena tallied eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. The Nieto twins had six markers each, Gian Mamuyac chipped in five markers, and SJ Belangel and Aaron Black provided stops.
Though he was on the losing side, Silva could not help but be proud of his students.
“Ako, sobrang happy ako.
“They’re performing as they should, plus they’re getting better because of coach Tab [Baldwin] and his system. Sobrang happy ako na they’re working hard and getting better,” beamed Silva.
“It’s easy to teach my players, it’s easy to teach talented players, it’s easy to teach yung mga gusto matuto,” he added when asked if he had a hand in their growth.
Being in his first year in UE, Silva wants his Red Warriors to experience all these losses. He is hoping that one day this team will take over the throne as collegiate basketball’s gold standard – the title currently owned by the Blue Eagles.
“They’re the barometer. Yung gusto kong i-impart sa UE, yun yung kung saan ako galing, yung Ateneo dapat, selfless basketball, very unselfish at disiplinado. Of course, it would take time,” he opined.
“My focus is on UE now. My journey with Ateneo is done. Now I’m with UE. My focus is to make UE into what Ateneo is now. Tough task but I’m willing to do the job.”
