For every great team, there’s a man always doing the work from behind the scenes.
With the La Salle Green Hills Greenies, it was team booster Frank Lao who changed the trajectory of the school’s boy’s basketball team. He turned the decades-long misery of the school into one of the most inspiring Cinderella runs the NCAA has ever seen.
However, after three years with the team, the entrepreneur has decided to give a chance to other managers to continue his program in La Salle.
“Next year, I will no longer be there. I will give others the chance to help LSGH,” he said.
But Lao won’t leave La Salle with regrets, as his role with the team only came about four years ago after a talk with Brother Feipe Belleza, Jr.
“It all started like this. Me and Brother Felipe are good friends,” disclosed Lao, who owns a chain of restaurants. “When we talked about basketball, sabi niya one time, ‘Sana manalo ng championship in our lifetime.’ Sabi ko, ‘Let’s recruit!'”
However, there was just one problem.
“My love for basketball eventually grew as I was seeing my kids play. When I saw them seeing their teammates as their brothers, I told myself, ‘Why not support the entire team as well?” he admitted, as his sons Jacob and Jared Lao were studying and playing for La Salle.
Which is why the elder Lao decided to start from scratch, tapping the services of young yet hungry coaches Marvin Bienvenida, Allen Ricardo, Karl Santos, Paulo Rivero, and Anton Brodett.
“We implemented a new basketball program and we started getting young coaches and quality players “ he recalled.
The results quickly followed.
In the NCAA Season 92 Juniors Basketball tournament, the Greenies ended up with bronze.
Then a year later, something magical happened, as that batch of Greenies ended up giving LSGH its first-ever championship in 59 years.
In Season 94, however, the Greenies could not duplicate the feat, finishing as bridesmaids in a hard-fought three-game Finals series.
Still, that three-year run was not bad for someone who is considered a basketball neophyte.
“One-two-three? I’m happy with that.
“I’m just lucky to have helped La Salle make two Finals. Not bad for a newcomer like me,” he quipped.
“I then fell in love with basketball. Just to give a championship to the school that I promised is already enough,” Lao added.
Beyond the championship, what makes Lao proud is how he was able to change the lives of his players. Besides giving them scholarships, he ended up adding to his family, as his players see him as their second father up to this day.
“I’m happy for all of them as some are now studying or playing in good universities,“ Lao proudly shared.
“They are in good hands and I’m happy with that. At least, I did something good for them and their family.”
Lao is not closing his doors on a possible return to basketball. As of now, though, he will gladly sit on the sidelines as a fan and watching his “sons” carve their own paths in college.
“I just want to thank the supporters, the students, the school, the teachers, the principal, Brother Felipe, Brother Vic Franco, the coaches, the parents who trusted me all the way,” he shared.
“For now, I’ll enjoy watching the games and maybe someday, I might help CSB in a little way.”
