When Diliman College ousted Olivarez College in the semifinals of the Universities and Colleges Athletics League (UCAL) Season 6 Basketball Tournament last March 14, Blue Dragons head coach Rensy Bajar could not help but feel redeemed.
“Talagang after the game against Olivarez, napayuko ako. Sabi ko, ‘Lord salamat!’ Sobrang hirap ng pinagdaanan namin,” the soft-spoken mentor recalled.
Entering the playoffs, Diliman was seeded seventh after going 4-4 in Phase 1 before posting a 2-2 record in Phase 2.
The odds were stacked against the two-time champions of the league.
In the quarterfinals, the Blue Dragons had to face the second-seeded Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas Dolphins, overcoming their twice-to-beat advantage, 83-81, before sealing the deal two days later, 80-73.
Just three days later, they ousted the heavily-favored Olivarez College Sealions in the knockout semis, 72-65.
(C) Mags Reyes/UCAL
“Actually, to tell you honestly, hindi ko inexpect na abot kami ng Finals. Semifinals puwede na e kasi this is a brand new team. Thank God lang kasi during the quarterfinals, nag-pick up kami,” said Bajar.
“Talagang nahigitan nila expectations namin. We are very happy with how they played.”
Season MVP Robbi Darang played exceptionally throughout the campaign, averaging 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.
But it was the standout performances of Axl Taporco, John Parista, and Warren Viallarta that turned their campaign around.
Moreover, the leadership of Bryan Lalica held the team together for Bajar’s Dragons.
“Siguro yung ugali ng players ko yung x-factor. Sa practices, talagang go hard sila. Pinu-push nila sarili nila without even me telling them to do so. Sabi ko sa kanila, yung experience namin, hindi pa ganun kabuo pero they competed,” said Bajar.
“Wala silang narinig sa akin buong season. Pati ako na-inspire ako sa pinakita nila.”
Though Diliman fell to Centro Escolar University in the Finals, just reaching the final stage of the tournament was already a bonus.
(C) Mags Reyes/UCAL
After all, it had been a long year for Bajar.
In early 2023, Bajar was named the head coach of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, filling the shoes left by Bonnie Tan.
However, the Knights team he inherited was in a rebuilding phase after losing key players like Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso, King Caralipio, and Louie Sangalang to graduation.
Not to sugarcoat anything, but it was a disastrous season for the Knights, finishing with a 2-16 record — the worst for a defending champion.
Of course, the hurtful words thrown at him by the Letran community affected his psyche.
But it was in Diliman where he was able to rebuild himself — just like during his short stint with the University of the Philippines back in UAAP Season 78.
Though he would go to the other side of Diliman and Intramuros in his career, Diliman College will always be his home.
“Minsan hindi ko siya kaya bayaran kaya sabi ko lipat ka sa UP. Those three wins they had were his. Kahit nung nagpunta siya sa Letran, it was not a problem,” said Diliman College president and former senator Nikki Coseteng.
“Because even he knows that Diliman will always be his home.
“Kung hindi si Rensy Bajar ang coach ko, baka janitor ko na lang yung coach ko because we don’t have the budget like the others. It’s really a tightrope we are walking but he was always there for us,” she added.
For the trust given to him by Diliman, Bajar is forever grateful.
“Itong Diliman College, this is a very special school para sa akin. Dito ako nagsimula, dito ako nabigyan ng break, at dito ako naging champion. Mula sa president namin at sa lahat ng officials, napaka-thankful ako sa kanila dahil dito ako lumaki,” he expressed.
“Fourteen years na ko dito. Dito ko nakuha ang lahat ng experience ko. Ito yung nagbigay sa akin ng never-give-up attitude. Sabi nga nila, fall seven times, you rise up eight times. Whatever happens, nandito sila para sa akin.”
