Hotshots’ Victolero recalls with fondness departed friend
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero was already a few blocks away from his home in Cubao when he decided to make a quick stop to catch up with his old friend, former cager Junel Mendiola.
“Nagkita kami bago mag-lockdown, nakatambay siya sa bahay nila malapit sa kalsada. Ayun, kwentuhan, kumustahan at saka kaunting biruan,” recalled Victolero, who lives on 9th Avenue while Mendiola resides at nearby 10th Avenue.
The two later agreed that they would meet anew for a few drinks when time permits before Victolero excused himself. It turned out to be the last time Victolero saw Mendiola, who passed away three days after turning 45 years old on June 13 due to a lung illness.
His passing shocked cage comrades like Victolero, who developed a close friendship with Mendiola when they were members of the national team that won the gold in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games.
Mendiola was part of a selection composed of some of the top players from the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association and coached by current San Miguel Beer assistant Boycie Zamar.
MBA MVPs Rommel Adducul and Eddie Laure of the Batangas Blades, Negros Slashers star John Ferriols and former Ginebra and Iloilo Megavolts mainstay Vince Hizon led the roster dubbed as the “MBA Dream Team.”
Victolero and San Juan Knights teammates Chris Calaguio and Omanzie Rodriguez, Batangas Blades’ Peter Martin, Socsargen Marlins rookie Egay Echavez, Davao
Eagles’ Jomar Tierra, Cebu Gems’ Ruben dela Rosa and Mendiola, then playing for the Laguna Lakers, round out the team.
Victolero, already one of the MBA’s best with his playmaking and defensive skills, was familiar with Mendiola, who played for the Pangasinan Presidents (later renamed Waves), Pampanga Dragons and Lakers during his career in the regional circuit.
“He’s a very smart player,” he said. “Kung titignan mo mabagal siya but yung kanyang pagkatalino sa laro, yun yung nagagamit niya. Talagang gwardiya yung thinking niya. Very unselfish player, team player plus the fact na yung height advantage niya as a guard. Mayroon siyang outside shot, Mayroon siyang drive at magaling pumasa. He’s a lefty na very smart player.”
But Victolero got to know Mendiola more on a personal level, beginning with the team’s campaign in the 2001 SEABA Championship at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“Sa SEABA pa lang halos nagkaroon na kami ng bonding ni Junel eh,” said Victolero. “Halos kaming dalawa yung magkasama tapos kami ang mag-roommate. Minsan may mga kombinasyon si Coach Boycie na kami yung magkasama sa loob ng court na parang two-guard combination.
“Bukod dun sa mga teammates ko sa San Juan (Calaguio and Rodriguez), mas naging close ako kay Junel,” he added.
The Philippines dominated the pack in the Malaysian capital, completing a five-game sweep by an average margin of 34.6 points to wrest the gold.