Beyond the Game

Pampanga Dragons still cherish fond memories of first MBA title drive

By BRYAN YALUNG

It may have been 30 years already but the Pampanga Dragons remain solid. Most recall that moment when they bagged the inaugural Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) title in 1998, a historic first that will forever be etched to their credit.

No one will be able to take away that distinction from them. It was unforgettable considering the rigors and sacrifices that Dragons players had to go through at the time.

There were notable players present in the event organized by former Pampanga Dragons team manager Gil Cortez. It was an extravagant occasion held at a resto bar in San Fernando, Pampanga where the team and select guests mingled and recalled about what happened in that MBA run.

Key players who connived to hand Dragons MBA title

There were a lot of familiar faces that graced the occasion that was held last December 7. Among those who were present included 1992 PBA Most Valuable Player, Renato Agustin.

Known as the “The Atom Bomb,” the 60-year-old explained what made the first MBA title special for him.

“Napakasarap. Kasi halos lahat ng kakampi mo mga kapampangan. Tapos di mo talaga makakalimutan. Kasi yung crowd dito sa Pampanga talagang… die hard talaga. Yung ipaglalaban ka ng mga kapampangan talaga… especially yung first-ever na MBA. So parang history, first, tapos magcha-champion ka,” Agustin said.

Agustin was responsible for sealing the deal for the Dragons, scoring the last four points that handed the Dragons the first-ever MBA title on October 31, 1998.

But of course, those crucial four points would have not been possible if not for the efforts of Angelo “Long” David. It was his three-point play against Jack Tanuan with about 54 seconds left in the game that was the turning point, handing Pampanga their first taste of the lead in that crucial tiff.

“Naalala ko is the dying seconds. Lamang sila ng isa tapos binigay sa akin yung bola. Na foul-counted ko – three point play. So lumamang kami ng dalawa. Yun yung turning point naming na dito pa sa Pampanga ginawa,” the former FEU big man shared.

David added that they had to scramble against the Slashers at the time. However, he pointed out what gave the Dragons a boost then.

“Malaking advantage talaga yung nasa home court. Yung support ng crowd, parang lumalakas yung loob mo. Tsaka andon na eh. Pag nakuha namin ito, champion na kami. Kaya mas lumakas yung urge namin na kunin namin talaga…Ayaw na naming bumalik pa sa Negros,” David who had stops with the Sta. Lucia Realtors, Talk ‘N Text and Red Bull in the PBA.

It was destiny for Udoy Belmonte

Rudolf “Udoy” Belmonte is best known for being part of the UST Growling Tigers team that swept UAAP Season 56 to clinch the men’s basketball title.

Ironically, he did not start that season with the Dragons. He initially played for the Batangas Blades before he was taken in by his college coach, the late Aric del Rosario.

“First, I’m privileged to be part of this team, especially yung first one. But I think it’s more of destiny. Kasi I started out sa MBA with the Batangas Blades. But sad to say, the first season, we got eliminated. And luckily enough, na-consider naman ako ni coach Aric at that time. Luckily, we were able to bag the first championship,” Belmonte who suited up in the PBA for San Miguel Beer.

Other former Pampanga Dragons players who were present include former assistant coach Ompong Segura, players Eric Gascon, Norman Gonzales, Nonoy Pido, Ariel Garcia, Billy Bansil, Willy Mejia and Lester Del Rosario.

Why were some Dragons missing?

The evening could have been sweeter if other notable names were able to make it. Unfortunately, guys like former assistant coach Romy Lopez, physical therapist Robert Miguel as well as players such as Bryant Punzalan and Ato Morano were unable to join since they are now based in the United States.

Also, Dave Bautista and Andy De Guzman were unable to attend since they are now in Canada.

Gherome Ejercito was on a US trip while Rolof Liangco was out of town, a reason why they missed out on the rare gathering.