TYCOON and all, the Sys of SM fame have reaped success in a field farthest from what they do best—big business.
On a fateful Wednesday, when Henry Sy celebrated his 90th birthday, the most popular tycoon in the country made Philippine basketball history when National University defeated with the flair of a successful entrepreneur a gritty Far Eastern University (FEU) side, 75-59, to end the school’s 60-year title drought in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
And they did that not with all the family’s wealth but with the intangibles that either make or break almost everything—from business to sports.
“A lot of people will think we spent a lot of money on this. But what we really spent on are the facilities and equipment,” Hans Sy said. “It’s about trust and respect. You earn the athletes’ respect. And we impose discipline on them.”
Trust and respect—plus an acumen polished through years of doing successful business—have reaped dividends.
Not only is NU successful in men’s basketball—where, for six decades, they were the league’s whipping boys—the school has also won the UAAP Season 77 Cheerdance Competition and annexed the crowns in badminton, beach volleyball, girls volleyball and women’s basketball.
For Sy, the Bulldogs’ title conquest came “a bit late,” but definitely without regrets.
“The title came a bit late. Everything just fell into place and I don’t think we predicted it,” Sy said during the Bulldogs victory dinner at Vikings Megamall. “All I can say is we worked hard for it and the best thing with this win is we showed that we won as a team.”
And Sy has Head Coach Eric Altamirano to thank for transforming the perennial cellar-dwellers to champions.
But Altamirano had seen tough times at NU and was reported to be on the chopping block when the Bulldogs were unceremoniously ousted last season, when they lost their twice-to-beat advantage against No. 4 seed University of Santo Tomas.
“There were lots of question and one of them was Coach Eric’s future on the team. Many applied for the post but we told Eric not to worry and that we believe in his program,” Sy said.
Now that he has steered NU to its first championship since 1954, things are falling in place for Altamirano.
“For as long as he wants,” Sy said, when asked if Altamirano would remain as NU Head Coach.
And any bonus for the players?
““Their only request is that there won’t be any call time for them for one week. Bonus? We’re still thinking about it but I have already an idea. ‘Something more substantial. We will take care of their families,” Sy said.
Image credits: Roy Domingo