Chris Lizo: Living the PBA Dream
from left: PLDT Chairman and SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan and MPTC Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Christopher Lizo. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
Last October 21, 2014, all I could do was text him a greeting when I remembered it was his birthday. Christopher Daniel C. Lizo is my cousin who is now Metro Pacific Tollways Corp (MPTC) Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. He texted back immediately and invited me to the debut of the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA. It was their very first game in the league, in the storied SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Tip off from right: NLEX Road Warriors (Asi Taulava) and Global Port Batang Pier (Yancy De Ocampo). Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
He told me he was so excited with the efforts of MPTC Pres. & CEO Ramoncito Fernandez, in building the team. The NLEX Road Warriors was finally making the transition to the majors after so much success in the Developmental league. PLDT Chairman and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan will also personally make an appearance to watch the debut.
from right: PLDT Chairman and SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan and MPTC Pres. & CEO Ramoncito Fernandez and MNTC Pres & CEO Rod Franco. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
MVP has been the singular moving force developing the SMART Gilas National team, and fulfilling the hopes of a whole nation for the sport of basketball. ALL of them who work for him have had to step up in showing their support for the game we love. CEOs and top level Execs are expected to do double duty as Team Presidents/ Operation Managers for their respective PBA squads. It’s an honor, sacrifice and huge responsibility.
Global Port Batang Pier Stanley Pringle inbounds ball in front of NLEX coaches Adonis Tierra and Ford Arao. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
MVP has taken a personal hand in coming up with the coaching staffs of TALK’N TXT, MERALCO and NLEX. MVP met with team execs, MPTC Pres & CEO Ramoncito Fernandez and finalized the NLEX brain trust. Last July, Quinito Henson in his Phil Star column reported, “Six-peat PBA D-League champion coach Boyet Fernandez will pilot N-Lex which has acquired the Air21 franchise. Fernandez, however, will finish the NCAA season with San Beda College before moving back to the PBA where he was once Coach of the Year with Sta. Lucia Realty. His Warriors staff will consist of Adonis Tierra, Jojo Lastimosa, Sandy Arrespacochaga, Mon Celis and Ford Arao with Allan Gregorio as team consultant.”
VIP ROW from left: MPTC Pres. & CEO Ramoncito Fernandez, Tollways Mgt Corp. SVP for Toll Operations Bobby Bontia, PLDT Chairman and SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan, MNTC Pres & CEO Rod Franco and MPTC CFO/Treasurer Christopher Lizo. Foreground: Coach Boyet Fernandez (left) & Asst Coach Jojo Lastimosa (right). Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
NLEX acting head Coach Adonis Tierra was calling the shots in the huddle early in the 1st quarter. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Paco, Manila
The PBA game seemed like a world away from our days growing up in Paco. I was the youngest of 5 boys but all of my brothers had been way older. That’s why I was closer to Chris growing up. Chris and I were born just months apart, post Crispa Toyota era. Barely off our toddler years we still took sides, he liked Crispa and I Toyota. We found a common team to cheer for when Great Taste came around with Ricardo Brown, Abe King, Arnie Tuadles, Philip Cezar, Bogs Adornado. The team had remnants from both Toyota and Crispa.
Right: MPTC Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Christopher Lizo. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Basketball was so pervasive in everything we thought and did. We’d play it EVERY free time we had. My brother Noel Bautista was an NBA, PBA, NCAA, UAAP fanatic. We’d talk about match ups and players endlessly. Much of our technical knowledge and debates came from Noel’s influence. He’s now living in Wellington, NZ with wife Hazel. His kids Nigel, Nicole and Brent are all grown up.
NLEX Road Warrior Enrico Villanueva sails in for a lay-up. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
We had a hoop installed on our garage roof. Me, Chris his brother Vincent Lizo, my brothers George, Noel, schoolmates, neighbors would play from morning until late into the night. Only George Bautista and Vincent took the game seriously trying out in college and making it to the TEAM B in DLSU. Vincent Lizo was our hope in making it to the PBA, we all had dreams at the time. He dominated in the commercial leagues: PICAA and PBL. Somehow we all lived vicariously through the success of Vince as a player, fulfilling our collective hoop dreams. Vince is now also one of the top executives in EVEREADY and still plays basketball in Alumni Leagues.
Grand slam champ and enforcer DLSU Archer Rafa Dinglasan shoots w i-phone. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Their close friend and teammates in the DLSU squad include Perry Ronquillo, Dong Vergere who later became coaches. Perry won a PBA Championship with Shell. Dong became a coach for UST in the UAAP (who passed away in 2011). Current Archers coach Juno Sauler was also a teammate of theirs. Juno married my other cousin Agnes Apostol.
from left: PLDT Chairman and SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan and MPTC Pres. & CEO Ramoncito Fernandez. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
METROPACIFIC
After graduating and acing the Accounting Board exams Chris worked for one and only one company throughout his career: METROPACIFIC Corporation. Much later after that he was assigned to his current post at the MPTC. Under a shared love for the game together with MPTC Pres. Ramon Fernandez they participated in the Developmental league of the PBA. Chris managed the day-to-day operations of the team, acquiring players, coaching staff while deferring major decisions to Fernandez. Mr. Fernandez has become a mentor and father figure to Chris; he was also the Ninong in his wedding. The NLEX Road Warriors earned 6 titles in the 7 years since the league was established.
NLEX Road Warrior Jonas Villanueva sets up offense. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Zoom back to 2014 October 21st, Chris’ birthday was an auspicious date to have their debut in the PBA. This is the league where so many of our childhood dreams had come from. We watched countless legendary PBA heroes do battle in this very place SMART ARANETA. Among them a Senator- Sonny Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez namesake ‘The Franchise’, Atoy Co, Abet Guidaben, even to the days of Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Allan Caidic and our special idol ‘Skywalker’ Samboy Lim. One of them Jojo Lastimosa is in the coaching staff of NLEX.
from left: PBA legend now NLEX Asst Coach Jojo Lastimosa coaches Jonas Viallanueva. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Now the NLEX Roadwarriors was a team he helped build. Chris was making his own PBA memories, helping shape current and future PBA legends in its 40th season. I was especially nervous for Chris because, there’s so much at stake. As thankful as I was seeing him in this position a win is necessary validation of all their efforts leading up to that point. They had to make a statement that the NLEX Road Warriors belonged with the best of best players in the country. There was tremendous pressure to win, even if it was a debut.
NLEX Road Warrior Asi Taulava on Free-throw line. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
NLEX is World Class
Before the game, Chris Lizo was able to talk about the transition of NLEX to the big league, “We won 6 out of 7 championships in the D League. Now the PBA is a different level. We want to prove to the management, to the owners that we can do it in the next level as well. What we’re trying to bring in the PBA is the same brand of team that we brought in the D League. We carry the NLEX brand name. NLEX is world class so we want to bring a competitive world-class team in the PBA.”
NLEX Road Warrior Mac Cardona going strong against Batang Pier Bonjay Buenafe. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Theoretically, the developmental league player can go to the PBA. But all players have to go through the daft process and theirs was no exception, “Unfortunately we’re not allowed by the PBA to bring our core team. Our core team had to go to the draft. We did the next best thing which was buy an existing franchise. We bought AIR21, which has good core players including Asi Taulava, Jonas Villanueva, Rico Villanueva, Mac Cardona. We mixed them with our own draft choices. We think we have a good combination of youth and experience.”
right (in Yankees cap) Maja Salvador loves the PBA. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
Their draft choice of Matt Canuelas, who played for SMART GILAS was traded to TALK’N TXT for KG Canaleta. He believes Canaleta will help NLEX be competitive immediately. There are very specific and some say lofty goals for their debut. “We think we’re going to be competitive. Having said that we’re realistic. There are a lot of strong teams GINEBRA, TALKN’TXT, SAN MIGUEL, PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS. We have an internal target. But we still think that if motivated enough, we work hard enough we can still go to the championship. Going to the finals is not beyond our reach we can still do it.”
from right: Mac Cardona, KG Canaleta and Kelly Nabong. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
PBA: The Best of the Best
With MVP’s top choice for a coach, Chris believes Boyet Fernandez is the right man to take them all the way, “He is defense oriented. Another thing working for him is he played professional basketball. He won a championship as a coach for Sta. Lucia. He gets the best out of players. Whether they’re veterans or rookies he’s able to define the role of each player. To that extent, Boyet has a lot of experience.”
From left: NLEX acting head Coach Adonis Tierra confers with Asst coach Sandy Arespacochaga. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
The challenge is huge in being able to translate their success from the D League to the PBA, “You have to look at the competitiveness. D League is a good league but the PBA is the ultimate goal of all players, all teams. You know that this is the cream of the crop, the best of the best, not only in terms of players but also in coaching staff, the support staff. So we’ve dedicated all resources we can to make sure that we’ll be competitive.”
Batang Pier Stanley Pringle explodes against John Raymundo. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
It’s been a long time coming, playing the game we loved since we were kids. We’ve all grown up; Chris has his own family now with beautiful wife Carlene, daughter Andrea and son Andrei. Not all plans have come to fruition. Hoop dreams remain for us, myself, brothers and cousins. Now we can experience it vicariously through Chris who is living the PBA dream.
VIP ROW from left: Tollways Mgt Corp. SVP for Toll Operations Bobby Bontia, PLDT Chairman and SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan, MNTC Pres & CEO Rod Franco and MPTC CFO/Treasurer Christopher Lizo. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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NLEX Road Warrior Eric Camson. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
NEVER THE STRANGER lead singer Ace Libre is a huge PBA fan. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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NLEX acting head Coach Adonis Tierra was calling the shots in the huddle early in the 1st quarter with him are from left: Asst Coaches Ford Arao and Sandy Arespacochaga. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
NLEX Road Warrior John Raymundo sets up offense. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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VIP ROW from left: Tollways Mgt Corp. SVP for Toll Operations Bobby Bontia, PLDT Chairman and SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan, MNTC Pres & CEO Rod Franco and MPTC CFO/Treasurer Christopher Lizo. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
2014 Top draft pick Stanley Pringle warms up for Global Port Batang Pier. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Batang Pier Yancy De Ocampo posts up against NLEX Road Warrior Aldrech Ramos. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: PLDT Chairman and SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan and MPTC Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Christopher Lizo. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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NLEX Road Warrior John Raymundo calls play with Batang Pier Terrence Romeo guarding him. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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NLEX Road Warriors from left: Acting head coach (for PBA debut) Adonis Tierra and MPTC Pres. & CEO Ramoncito Fernandez. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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NLEX Road Warrior Mark Borboran works in the paint. Catch PBA games live in SMART ARANETA Coliseum. If not you can watch the PBA’s 40th season live airing on TV5 five times a week on TUES, WED and FRI, with the first game at 4:15 p.m. and the second game at 7 p.m.; on SAT at 5 p.m.; and SUN at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Photo by Jude Bautista
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