Mario Bonleon explains why he ‘lost the passion’ and left UST

MANILA, Philippines – A few years back, Mario Bonleon Jr had everything planned out when he left his hometown and migrated to Manila. The game plan was simple and uncomplicated: play basketball.

As soon as Bonleon was recruited by La Salle Greenhills, his eyes were set to breaking the family’s curse. “The family, including my uncles, is known in the province as basketball players but nobody has entered the PBA yet.”

Luckily, the odds were in Bonleon’s favor and his career flourished early.

The Davao-native Bonleon represented the country in various international tournaments including the SEABA Under-18 in 2012 and participating in the Asian Youth Games 3×3 tourney.

“I started playing basketball ever since I was walking,” said the 22-year old Bonleon. “This is really what I want to do.”

After bidding good bye to high school, the University of the East Red Warriors welcomed Bonleon with open arms, and a whole lot more.

“They (UE) gave me a big offer to play for the team and even said they will shoulder my brothers’ schooling,” Bonleon, who is the eldest amongst 3 siblings, said. “They also promised my dad a job plus a condo for us to use.”

Bonleon remembered his excitement to play for the Warriors and expressed it during the exclusive interview with Rappler but was in such dismay even before the UAAP season started.

“UE got me as a player but wasn’t using me at all. I didn’t like that. I wanted to be utilized as a player. I withdrew my enrollment and transferred to another school.”

The answer was quite evident as Bonleon was seen wearing UST’s black-and-gold jersey for two years.

“Coach Pido (Jarencio) was asking me to play for UST even before. When I decided to switch schools, my parents and I were the ones who went to coach Pido personally and ask if I could still play,” shared the senior Bonleon.

After waiting two years due to the residency rule, Bonleon finally made his UAAP debut with the Espana-based squad. Bonleon admitted it was one of the best years of his life as a player.

Going back, the Growling Tigers ended the UAAP Season 78 in impressive fashion as they secured a finals ticket against the then-champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

And as a rookie, Bonleon was overjoyed.

“Ah, the crowd and support was amazing. In fact, even when I sleep at night, I could still hear the drums banging and everyone chanting,” Bonleon shared with excitement. “I pushed myself to play even with a broken hand.”

A year after the successful UAAP stint, Season 79 became UST’s worst nightmare as they finished at the bottom of the cellar.

“The support was gone. NCAA high school had more supporters than us last year. It was awful and I was burnout.”

In May 11, Bonleon had enough as he announced through his personal Twitter account he will not be playing anymore for the Growling Tigers.

"That was never my object for someone to get killed, Why would I want to destroy something I helped build" -Eminem pic.twitter.com/iqYUcbv2Fm

— Mario Bonleon Jr. (@embonsbonleon) May 11, 2017

According to an article published also on the same day by The Varsitarian, UST’s official school publication, Bonleon “lost the passion” to play.

“I didn’t want to be part of UST anymore. I will pursue my basketball career in the D-League instead.”

There are different opinions of what constitutes a good collegiate ball exit. But this, inarguably, was not one.

Everyone knows Bonleon will be skipping the upcoming UAAP Season 80. Only one question remains unanswered.

Why?

The curious case of Growling Tiger ‘Embons’

“I was lost my passion because, well, it’s okay for me if they will use someone who’s really better like Kiefer (Ravena) or Jeron (Teng),” said Bonleon who is now playing with the AMA University Titans.

“It’s okay if they won’t use me if guys like them are my teammates. But if they’re going to use someone else just because they have the money then, no.”

Bonleon also made it clear he is still passionate about basketball, as long as he isn’t playing for the Growling Tigers.

“At least here (D-League), it’s one step closer to the PBA. My teacher always tells me, ‘We have our own ways and directions going to heaven.’ We have our own stories,” said Bonleon.

Ever since Boy Sablan took the place of Bong De La Cruz as UST’s head coach, Bonleon explained his playing time was cut from 16—20 minutes per game to just 8-10 minutes.

“Coach Boy (Sablan) lacks experience. The assistant coaches are the ones who take over our practices. There is something wrong with the system,” Bonleon said. “He’s not around most of the time and is busy with PBA.”

Bonleon also expressed the team’s difficulty in adapting to plays since it is usually altered, “The (coaching) staff will teach us a play then coach (Sablan) will introduce another. It’s very confusing, we can’t execute it well.”

“On the game itself, he will dictate plays and say, ‘I taught you this before,’ but in reality, he didn’t teach us any of those plays.”

The 6-foot-2 Bonleon also shared the issue started last Christmas season when he was invited to attend a party with Joco Macasaet and Renzo Subido. Surprisingly, when they reached the party, coach Pido was there together with the press.

Articles began showing up that coach Pido was interested to go back as the Growling Tigers’ head coach and it seemed like Bonleon, Macasaet and Subido were supporting him because they were present at the party.

“We didn’t know coach Pido will be there, there was no way out for us. I also didn’t know coach Pido and coach Boy had personal issues. In January, he (Sablan) wasn’t talking to us anymore. Renzo’s one of coach Boy’s star players but after that incident, he was using different players,” said Bonleon.

“I told them (Subido, Macasaet) ‘we have no hope here.’ We were being attacked personally. I was the only one who went to the party but even my brother was removed from the team.”

Bonleon’s confessions didn’t stop there as he claimed that some players pay in order to get more playing time in the league.

“The players who have money are being used more efficiently. It’s sad.”

The Sports and Wellness Management student Bonleon received news from his teammates that he wouldn’t be part of the squad anymore, “It’s okay. I’m now a senior, I can pay for my last year in college.”

But if ever Sablan will be replaced by anyone, Bonleon is certain to come back, “They told me coach Boy will be gone this May. I’ll return if they (UST) will let me.”

Despite the issues, Bonleon wishes his former team the best this UAAP Season 80.

“I hope they overcome everything they are going through now,” said Bonleon.

‘Don’t believe in Embons’

During the Growling Tigers’ first win in Filoil against the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, one major factor of the team was missing: the head coach.

After the cagefest, UST assistant coach Tylon Dar Juan proceeded to the post-game press conference and said, “Coach Sablan is at home resting.”

When Juan was asked regarding the current Bonleon-issue, all he had to say was: “It is not true.”

“Honestly, coach Boy is kind enough to let him (Bonleon) skip practice because he has an injury so he could come back. What [Bonleon] did, he didn’t tell us he was already well and tried out for AMA,” said Juan.

Juan also claims Bonleon is turning things around against coach Sablan, and the team is hurt about the things Bonleon is saying in his interviews.

“It hurts for us because people don’t know this side of the story. We wanted him to rest,” shared Juan. “We are also aware about Bonleon saying other players are paying coach (Sablan) but honestly, coach Boy wouldn’t take in any part of that.”

Juan also addressed the issue regarding the trimming of Bonleon’s playing time. “How will he have more playing time, eh, he’s fat. Don’t believe in him.”

According to Juan, coach Sablan will also not be replaced by anyone, not even coach Jarencio, this season. – Rappler.com