Hey Earn, what's your name again?

http://www.uaapgames.com/che_102004.shtml

Earl, Ernesto, Earn - will the real UE Warrior please raise a hand?

An ordinary basketball fan would be confused. He watches the games on television and hear sportscasters call him Earl then player profile appears on screen and says he's Earn. Newspapers arrives the next morning and he's Earl again. Web search produces more results on Earl than on Earn and then finds one where he's Ernesto.

"Ewan, baka hindi ako 'yan," says Earn Saguindel, rookie point guard for the UE Red Warriors of being referred to as Earl and Ernesto.

He said that in jest, it was actually hard to read. Hard to believe it came from the guy who always look so serious on court. But yes, this one does know how to smile and make you laugh. He can be real funny when he's all pumped up and will crack you up at times without really meaning to.

The early years

Basketball came into his life literally at the age of four. His father gifted him with a basketball and first taught him the art of dribbling. Talk about starting him young. And from kiddie-sized balls to the regular-sized one, he soon learned to play the game and this lad from the Queen City of the South found himself hooked and basketball became a way of life. He played competitive basketball when he went to Cebu Eastern College for grade school and high school.

But college ball didn't come easy. The University of the East is actually Earn's fourth school. Playing ball not entirely the reason for the school-hopping, there was a host of other things. It was on his third stop--the University of San Jose-Recoletos where he finally got the chance to play college basketball. And as fate would have it, while playing in the Champion's League and the Sinulog Cup in Cebu, he caught the eye of then UE head coach Boysie Zamar and was asked to join the Red Warriors.

He admits to not having second thoughts since he had really planned of going to Manila to try his luck here even before Coach Boysie's invitation came. There was an earlier offer from another UAAP-member school which unfortunately didn't materialize and instead of sulking, he just went on and refused to be stopped in pursuing his dreams. The idea of being away from family is not very comforting but the UE offer is too great an opportunity to pass up.

From Cebu to Recto

So he flew to Manila, got settled at the Warriors' quarters, met the other guys in the team, enrolled as a Business Management major, warmed up to his new environment, made new friends, and missed Cebu and his family.

He found a spot in the school's Team B and first saw action as a UE Warrior at the Fr Martin's Cup last year.

Then Coach Boysie left and Dindo Pumaren got on board. Superstars gone, starters gone, Earn got elevated to Team A and found himself filling a very big void that is Paul Artadi.

The new-look Warriors faced the defending champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws on opening day of the 67th season of the UAAP. His baptism of fire was against Denok Miranda, one of the league's best point guards. FEU won that game by a big margin but the UAAP-first timer played more like the veteran than his real veteran teammates. He tallied 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists in 27 minutes of action.

In retrospect

"Sayang kasi 'di ko napanalo team," was Earn's generic response after every loss.

When asked if he could turn back time and be allowed to change anything, "Game against La Salle in the first round. Ang panget ng game ko no'n!" He scored 3 points along with 7 turnovers, he may have a point. "Buti na lang nanalo pero panget talaga, gusto kong balikan," he adds.

Embarrassing moments on court? "Wala namang sobra, 'yon lang mga layup misses. Especially against UP sa second round. Sure shot na tapos 'di pa na-shoot, 'kahiya!"

Basketball gods indeed have been good to the UE Warriors. They finished fourth with a rookie coach and an almost rookie lineup, Marcy Arellano is Rookie of the Year, and Coach Dindo shared Coach of the Year honors with champion coach-brother Franz Pumaren, as recognized by the UAAP Press Corps. As for Earn, he knows there are still a lot of things in his game that needs polishing and he promises to be better next season. He looks forward to going up against LA Tenorio and TY Tang again in season 68.

"Sayang... pero okay na ako, tanggap na. Sayang lang talaga. Pero that's life. Prepare na lang kami for next year. Learn from our mistakes...," says Earn in his text message to this writer two days after their Final Four game.

He may have failed to steer the team all the way to the finals but he definitely made his presence felt. Many doubted his capabilities at the start but he's proving to be an able replacement to his celebrated predecessor. UE fans concerned about the team's future are now giving him the thumbs up for passing his initiation. He may not be a big factor in offense but he certainly repaid the coach's confidence by playing big on defense. And he never failed to amaze fans with his boundless energy on court even the Energizer bunny would take a bow.

"I just like his intensity and tenacity. And the way he moves on the court is amusing," says Boom Gonzales of ABS-CBN Sports when asked why he seemed to really like seeing the guy play.

Fans at the Cuneta Astrodome close to the UE bench and those watching television will always remember him as the guy who cut Coach Dindo short in the middle of giving instructions during the last time out of the UE-FEU second round of eliminations game. It prompted Sev Sarmenta to say, "Can you see a future coach in Earn Saguindel?"

Does he actually believe he's got fans now? "Ha? Wala! Kung meron man, family ko siguro."

Moving on

There's not much pressure at practice now as they continue training for next season and for the other tournaments they are set to participate in. A typical day for him used to be practice/training in the morning, games, then going to class. Now that it's the school break, he's looking forward to a lot of sleeping, hanging out with his cousins, and of course, spending time with his family.

Fast facts

Favorite subject -- English (with a laugh) and Filipino (laughs again)
Least favorite subject -- Math (laughs even louder)
Favorite PBA players -- Mark Caguioa, Mike Cortez, Johnny Abarrientos and Willie Miller
Favorite NBA players -- Stephon Marbury, Baron Davies, Steve Francis and Mike Bibby

He's no great fan of big men obviously.

Favorite story from the quarters -- It involves teammate Marco Tabaquero, a ghost story but not of The Ring mold, more like Scary Movie 2.

We were in stitches after he's done telling the story.

Ideal girl -- "Cute, no, nothing really specific. Basta understanding."
Ideal date -- "One-on-one game. Tapos dinner, without changing clothes ha! Do'n na rin sa gym para masaya!"

You have been warned. The guy is a natural comic masquerading as a basketball star.

Who inspires you most? "Mama ko! Lahat-lahat 'to, ng ginagawa ko, para sa Mama ko."

Definitely an 'aww moment.' So let's call him by his given name, it's Earn. His mom would be real glad and proud.

And I thought I look like a loser

I went to my old school today. Did some work, hang out with new friends and in the process got my spirits lifted.

I am feeling not so confident about how I look the past two years. I have some problems with unsightly blemishes (Alright, alright, it's pimples!). Plus the fact that I'm not getting any younger and my continuous struggle with gaining weight (my apologies to those whose problems way contradict mine) still fruitless.

Went to school today expecting nothing but meeting pasaway people. I have some work to do and really have to go despite being up so late the previous night. I went to bed with prayers that hopefully I won't look so ngarag when I get up.

Prayers granted, but still feeling dreadful, I did what I usually do to perk things a bit--dress properly. I always wear pants in going there especially since I know I'm going to be there until night and I have to commute to and from home. I did the contrary today. I wore skirts so no invitation to a little rough and tumble at the gym, no sitting on the steps or wherever, will be entertained.

I got off along Legarda because traffic was bad, well, it's the Philippines and it's the University Belt. So okay, while walking (it's a pretty long stretch) I got those familiar stares (I look like an alien, remember?) from boys and girls alike, tambays, construction workers, drivers, security guards, you know, those people in the neighborhood. I should have gotten used to this since I started wearing dresses and skirts but insecurity is so innate, it's just like blinking my eyes. I always wonder what they're thinking. Have I got dark knees, shapeless legs, bakukangs, or whatever? I know they're not perfect but I don't think they're so bad.

To those familiar to the area, I know I should have turned to Gastambide but I chose to walk further and be in Recto. Call me insane but I miss the smell of Recto. Honestly. There's something with the stink that calm my nerves and feel right at home.

I got stopped by the guards at the school's Recto gate but luckily the person I'm supposed to be working with just passed by so he rescued me from them. He's with the varsity basketball team so naturally he's kinda popular in campus. I hate it when groups of girls will just turn around and give you the look that says clearly "Who the hell is she?" Really, they don't care if you see them looking and very obviously checking you out. So much for rudeness.

Did I mention pasaway? They're the poster boys for that term. The basketball team is so like that, you gotta have enough patience and courage to enter the Warriors' den. They're a bunch of kids, period.

I didn't have time to fix my hair before going there so I tied it back during the bus ride to tame it. I'm supposed to go visit the wash room first before going to the Warriors' quarters but since I got picked up literally at the gates, I can't possibly tell him, "Hey, daan muna ako sa wash room, will comb my hair first."

We did the interview just outside their quarters because it's too noisy inside but players and their friends kept passing by so it was impossible to concentrate, I had to keep saying hello to everybody who greets me with "Hi, ate Che!"

Ate, yes, I'm ate to them.

After an hour and a half of kulitan, headache and countless interruptions, was done working and ready to go. One of the players who is a very good friend came out of the room shouting, "Ate Che, ano ba, 'kala ko ba magte-text ka?!" Duh, somehow, from all the shouting and everything and dozens of times my name got called, he's just inside with his PS2 waiting for me to arrive. He said nobody told him I was there already.

He gave me the usual high five (I can reach it this time as I was sitting on a table) and said, "Ang ganda mo ngayon, ate. Ang sexy mo." Ha! Someone actually did appreciate the effort! But since they're all pasaways, he kept asking for the reason or reasons why I look presentable enough that time.

I was feeling less insecure already and starting to be comfortable with the place and the people around me when this janitor directed his cleaning just a few feet away from me. He was mopping the floor, spraying some... I don't know, collected the trash, and just when I thought he was done and will be leaving the area, he looked at me. He looked familiar but I can't quite place the face from somewhere.

He asked, "Kumusta ka na? Graduate ka na last year, ano?" Ooh, this is something new. Then I remembered him from my days in school. Was sad he's still there cleaning but at least he still got a job. I just said, "Hello po, kilala n'yo pa ako?" He answered, "Oo naman. Ikaw pa." Was tempted to ask why he said "Ako pa" but decided against it. I realized it doesn't matter. What's important is that he thought I just graduated last year! Ha, again!

So I don't look like I'm 28, hmm... Bola lang? I really don't care. I just know I felf great after he said it.

On the way out to Recto, still the same set of guards, they all looked at me. One asked if I was done with the interview. I said yes. He looked like he's going to ask another question but I turned my back on him and walked out of the premises. I was so hungry I could eat a hippogriff. Was already out of the gates and the guards were still looking (blame it on the alien look, I'm a walking freak show). I found out why later. They wanted to know if I'm "friends" with whom really. I walked in with a different person and walking out with another.

Duh?! I'm learning how to multiply and divide already when those guys first saw daylight! Naman!