Macoy relishes title after long wait

CEBUANO basketball legend Julian Macoy has waited a very long time to feel like a champion again – 57 years to be exact. And after the near-six decade wait came to a glorious end on Tuesday after the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors claimed the Cesafi title against University of the Visayas (UV) , Macoy was at a loss for words at seeing his beloved alma mater come out on top again.

 
“I really can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now. It’s awesome. It took 57 years to be on top again and I can’t describe how happy it makes me feel,” said Macoy, who now serves as USC’s consultant.

 
Unbeknownst to many, Macoy is one few remaining links to USC’s last title-winning team. Then a sophomore sensation, Macoy was the focal point of the Green and Gold Warriors’ attack, eventually leading them to the 1958 title of the Cesafi’s precursor, the Cebu Collegiate Athletic Association. Macoy recalls that that was a season to remember for him as he also established the country’s all-time scoring mark during that year, racking up 126 points in just 28 minutes of action against the Cebu Normal School (CNS), a record that stands to this day.

 
Those thinking that that performance was fluke better think twice too, as he also breached the century mark in his rookie season in 1957, scoring 101 points, also against CNS.

 
But even those exploits might pale in comparison to this year’s championship feat, one that was overseen by Macoy starting in 2012 when he was tapped to be head coach after a six-year stint as deputy commissioner of the Cesafi. He eventually led the Warriors to a third place finish in 2013 before relinquishing coaching duties to former PBA player Junthy Valenzuela in 2014.

 
“When I took over the team in 2012, me and Mayor Junie (Martinez, Bogo City Mayor and the team’s chief backer) had a four-year plan for the Warriors. So we’re a year ahead of that plan,” animatedly relayed Macoy in a talk with Cebu Daily News the morning after USC’s title win.

 
“It was tough at first. There were times when I had to use my own money to supplement the team’s needs. But thankfully, everything slowly fell into place,” shared Macoy of the pivotal move to add Cameroonian reinforcement Shooster Olago to the squad during the 2014 season. After trying out several different imports in past years, USC finally hit the jackpot with Olago, who was named as the league’s MVP this year.