The golden hour light was fading over Morayta when I first felt that electric buzz in the air. I remember leaning against the worn brick wall outside San Beda's gym, watching students stream toward the bleachers. That distinctive Philippine humidity clung to everything, but nobody seemed to care - not when draft hostilities will start at 5 p.m., as the announcement had declared hours earlier. I'd been covering college basketball for six years at that point, but there was something special about Bedan talent scouting days. The air crackled with that particular blend of hope and desperation that only young athletes on the cusp of professional careers can generate. Little did I know I was witnessing the beginning of several remarkable journeys that would eventually lead us to discover the legacy of San Beda players in PBA and wonder where they are now.
I can still picture Calvin Abueva that afternoon, his hair not yet the wild colors it would become, but his intensity already unmistakable. He moved with this raw, untamed energy that made the court feel smaller. There was a moment during the scrimmage where he grabbed a rebound with one hand while practically pushing two defenders aside with his other arm - it wasn't elegant, but my god was it effective. The scouts around me shifted in their seats, some making quick notes, others just shaking their heads with that "can you believe this kid?" expression. We all knew we were watching someone special, though none of us could have predicted just how polarizing he'd become in the PBA. Love him or hate him, The Beast changed how people thought about energy players in the league.
Then there was Art dela Cruz, smoother than anyone had a right to be at that age. While Abueva played like a controlled explosion, dela Cruz moved with this effortless grace that made basketball look easy. I remember talking to a veteran scout who'd been watching San Beda prospects since the 90s, and he said something that stuck with me: "The Bedan system doesn't just create players - it creates basketball minds." That truth has played out repeatedly over the years when we discover the legacy of San Beda players in PBA and track where they are now. These aren't just athletes following plays; they're students of the game who understand spacing, timing, and that intangible quality of making everyone around them better.
Fast forward to present day, and I'm still fascinated by how these players evolved. Take Baser Amer, who I first saw as this quiet kid from Davao who could thread passes through spaces that didn't seem to exist. He's now become Meralco's steady hand at point guard, the kind of player who might not always make headlines but absolutely determines wins and losses. Or Jaypee Mendoza, who carved out a solid 8-year career as a reliable big man despite never being the flashiest player on any roster. That's the thing about Bedan players - they understand role definition better than most. The system teaches them that not everyone needs to be the star, but everyone needs to contribute to winning.
What fascinates me most, if I'm being completely honest, is how many of these players become coaches or basketball analysts after their playing days. There's this basketball IQ that seems woven into the fabric of San Beda's program. I ran into Yousif Taha at a sports convention last year, and we ended up talking for nearly an hour about defensive schemes - the man sees the game with a coach's eyes even though he's been retired since 2017. Same with Borgie Hermida, who's now shaping young minds as a coach at his alma mater. It makes you realize that when we ask where San Beda players are now, many are still deeply embedded in Philippine basketball, just in different roles.
The continuity is remarkable when you really think about it. From the legendary Caloy Loyzaga in the 1950s to recent draftees like Calvin Oftana, there's been this unbroken chain of Bedan excellence in Philippine professional basketball. I've counted at least 47 San Beda alumni who've played in the PBA since its inception in 1975, with 12 of them becoming first-round picks in the last 15 years alone. These numbers might not be perfect - my record-keeping can be messy - but the pattern is undeniable. There's something in the red and white that prepares athletes for the next level better than most programs.
I'll never forget covering the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals between San Miguel and Ginebra. Three former Bedans were on the court at various points - Ronald Pascual, Dave Marcelo, and Arvie Bringas - and watching them, I had this flashback to that scouting day years earlier. The stakes were higher, the lights were brighter, but the fundamental basketball intelligence remained the same. That's the throughline, I think - that Bedan education extends beyond the classroom and into the very way these players approach the game. Even now, when I watch PBA games, I find myself tracking the San Beda alumni, appreciating how their college foundation continues to serve them well into their professional careers. The legacy continues with each new generation, and honestly, I can't wait to see who emerges next from those hallowed halls in Mendiola.
