And that's a wrap

2009 (Head Coach): We were just happy to be there. After beating mighty Liceo de Costa Rica as the third seed, we made it to my first Finals. We won the first game in Escazu, breaking a very long losing streak to Barva. We then lost two pretty close games at Barva in which we displayed some horrible free throw shooting. Then in the fourth game of the series, we lost a heartbreaker as Ike St Rose banked in a three point shot with seven seconds to go to win the game, a loss that has always haunted me. While I felt our chances would have been pretty good in a fifth game, that was only the Finals of Clausura; it was doubtful we would have outlasted Barva in a subsequent series. For personal reasons, I walked away from the team after the Finals.

I've now been Sub-Campeon four times, twice as Head Coach and twice as an Assistant Coach (and GM). It doesn't get any easier...if anything it's getting harder. To come up short time after time is a draining experience. I have to ponder my future as I look back.

Sanatura Escazu, Campeones de Clausura

Ike St Rose hoists the Clausura trophy.

I've been quiet for the past couple of weeks on the blog, but I wanted to make a quick entry and include some pictures.

My team, Sanatura Escazu won the Clausura Tournament, beating the defending national champion Coopenae USJ ARBA (aka San Ramon) in a series that went down to the wire. Now it's on to a best of five series against Ferreteria Brenes Barva to see who walks away with the national title.

Drenched in Gatorade with my Dad, Alfonso Robelo and Michael Jackson.

I can't be more effusive in my praise for the San Ramon program. From their administrators to their staff to their players to their fans. They have been top notch all the way through. My hat off's especially to Coach Josh Erickson and the work he has done with that team. It's not always easy for a foreign coach to come in and be accepted in this environment, but Josh has left his imprint not only on San Ramon but the entire Costa Rican basketball scene. As I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate the precious opportunities where you can make new friends; I love talking hoops with Josh, something we couldn't really do lately because of competitive circumstances, but we got some catching up to do on the golf course.

Our crowd support in our two home games was great. Actually the atmosphere in all three games was awesome; the crowds were supportive of their team and respectful of the opponents (for the most part). It's what basketball in Costa Rica should be.

More than single out any one player on our team, it was truly a team effort. I'm still amazed when it's late in the season and we have 16 guys show up and practice hard. A lot is made about our stars, and they certainly deserve the praise, but the contributions down the line that go unnoticed are just as important.

Point Guard Alonso Sanchez with the trophy. 

Bustamante, Ike and Sebastian Lacayo.

Dave Millinier came up big in Game 3. 

Dario Fraile and David Carnegie.

Two of our rooks, Adrian Chavarria and Ronny Johnson

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