Saturday, October 20, 2007 Sports plugged: Llanto, Ramirez: USC power duo
(Continued from yesterday)
WHAT about for you (Ramirez) now that you have used up all your playing years in the Cesafi?
Ramirez: I’m still waiting for a team to get me. So right now, I’m standing by for that. But while I’m at it, I will finish school so that I can graduate. I still have 20 units left.
Do you hope to get into the PBA or other commercial leagues? Or go into the corporate world?
Llanto: I’ll work but not here. Somewhere else but definitely not here. With regards to the PBA, the two of us will always have that dream. That has never gotten out of our sights, but we just want to make sure that we will have a fallback because we will never know what will happen in the future.
We might have injuries like before so we really need to have a plan B. That’s why we were serious in our studies.
What have you observed about the support from your fellow students this year?
Llanto: We came from Manila and we all know how high the support system of each school were. And we felt that here this year.
Ramirez: The support is overwhelming. Most especially when Sir Saso brought his PE students to the games. That really started the interest of the students for the team and we are very grateful of him.
Llanto: Before, we already had a group of supporters but we always lost so it became silent. Another reason for the support would be my good-looking teammates, who are the real crowd-drawers.
What about the adminis-tration’s support?
Llanto: They are very supportive. But in terms of the facilities, even allowances among other things, there is still room for improvement.
With Cesafi, what can you suggest to improve the league from the athlete’s point of view?
Ramirez: Next time, they should only let those who are going to classes play. We really felt that we were at the disadvantage because during Game 4 (where they still won), we came from the finals exams and we were exhausted, while our counterparts were very relaxed because all they think of is basketball.
Llanto: Cesafi officials should also improve. I know I would have no reasons to complain because they love me (he is two-time MVP), but I could not understand why they don’t like Niño. Imagine, for two straight years, they never included him in the mythical five. He is really good. Statistics-wise, he scored higher than me. It is not fair to him because he worked really hard this season.
Did you expect to win the MVP again this year?
Llanto: No because there were many good players. Also, in our team, it was Niño who did most of the scoring.
Do you have any regrets or things you wish you can take back this season?
Ramirez: I speak for both of us, since our first year until our last year, we have no regrets. Lingaw kaayo mi sa among college basketball career. We do not want it any other way. (MCB)
