UAAP: Henry Asilum is a Maroon on a mission

Henry Asilum’s basketball life hasn’t been easy for the past few years. The point guard from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu entered the University of the Philippines in 2012 but hasn’t exactly seen the brightest of days since he headed north to become a Fighting Maroon.

Star recruit

At 5’6”, Renzar Henry Asilum first gained a measure of fame when he became one of the Jr. NBA All-Stars in their National Training Camp back in 2010. Asilum was also part of the Energen-Pilipinas Under-16 national youth team coached by Olsen Racela that finished fourth in the FIBA-Asia tournament in Nha Trang, Vietnam in 2011.

Asilum shares that his stellar juniors career in the south was only enhanced by his experience of playing in the Jr. NBA. “Siyempre yung values, importante 'yon,” he says of what he learned the most from the Jr. NBA. “Hanggang ngayon, ine-embrace ko pa rin ‘yon.” Indeed, his ballhandling and shooting were on full display last month, when he joined several Jr. NBA alumni in a game at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Best of the Jr. NBA Alumni

Asilum donned the white jersey on a team coached by Utah Jazz guard Gordon Hayward against the red-clad players coached by the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer in Tina Thompson. Asilum shone brightest for Team Gordon to the tune of 17 points, as his squad pulled off the 62-57 win. Asilum was joined on Team Gordon by Ichi Altamirano, Paul Dagunan, Tristan Laman, Gian Mamuyac, Mio Puno, Tyler Tio, Lorenzo Navarro, Tsaddy Rangel, Arnie Padilla, Vince Ferrer, and Marco Sario.

Team Tina included Lui Besa, Aljun Jay Melecio, Jarrel Lim, RK Ilagan, Renren Senining, Miguel Competente, Ricci Rivero, Aldrin Fegidero, Carlo Escalambre, Patrick Ramirez. Asilum’s big-game experience in the FIBA-Asia tournament and the UAAP helped him lead his team in a competitive contest that left the gathered throng rooting for both sides as the game came down to the wire.

Another upheaval in Diliman

There is no doubt that the string of losses and coaching upheavals at the State University have taken their toll on Asilum and his fellow Fighting Maroons. Despite the addition of Xavier School standout and eventual UAAP Rookie of the Year Kyles Lao to the roster, UP remained at the bottom of the standings. The mid-season firing of Coach Ricky Dandan led to to former coach Rey Madrid's return to the bench, but wins remained elusive as the season wound down.

Despite all these, Asilum has a positive outlook as he enters his junior year for UP. “Siyempre look forward kami sa chance na manalo kami,” he notes. “May mga new management na gustong tumulong sa amin na ayaw naming ma-disappoint, so gusto namin manalo talaga this season.” After another winless season, Asilum is one of many who believe there’s nowhere to go but up for a team aching to win its first UAAP seniors basketball championship since the heyday of Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Eric Altamirano in 1986.



Room for improvement

During this past offseason, rumors swirled around the Diliman campus as some quarters lobbied for Madrid’s removal as UP mentor. In the end, however, Madrid kept his post over contenders such as fellow former UP coach Allan Gregorio, PBA D-League coach Robert Sison, and Jojo Villa. With the playing eligibility of Raul Soyud, Chris Ball, and Sam Marata all used up, this will be a youthful squad representing the Iskos and Iskas in seniors basketball come 2014. The main addition for UP entering the UAAP’s 77th season is Diego Dario, a guard from the UP Integrated School.

“Every day nag-i-improve kami sa team,” Asilum bares. “Every day may bagong tinuturo si Coach Rey. For me, magaling na coach si Coach Rey. Alam naman nating maraming pangit na comments sa kanya, pero sa akin hintayin niyo lang ang ipapakita ni Coach Rey.” Clearly, the Maroons’ head man has the support of at least one of the men expected to carry the load for the roster. Asilum adds the most important lessons he has learned from Coach Madrid: “Yung pag-uplift ng sarili namin. Kasi alam naman natin na ang UP, parang talunan so ayon, uplift ang sarili.”

As with every new UAAP season, hope springs eternal for the seven teams not able to lift the championship trophy, and nowhere is this more true than in UP. Asilum personally sees the challenge of dethroning last year’s champions as something for his team to aspire for. “Siyempre yung La Salle, diba?” Asilum says as what motivates his teammates. “Alam naman nating lahat meron sila, lahat ng facilities, so sa amin, sila yung parang china-challenge namin para ang game naming umi-improve.”

Asilum models his defensive game after former Far Eastern University Tamaraw and current San Mig Coffee star Mark Barroca. As far as offense goes, his favorites are NBA players Steve Nash and Tony Parker.

The wins truly have been hard to come by for the UP Fighting Maroons, but with players such as Henry giving their all for the proud university, the “fighting” part of their moniker will continue to be a source of pride for their fans and alumni.  - AMD/JDL GMA News