Happy Birthday, Alenogenes “Allen” Sasan ( July 15 )

Happy Birthday, Alenogenes “Allen” Sasan

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

1992 PBA Rookie Draft 7th overall pick
Cebu Central Colleges guard
1991 SEAG gold medalist
2-season PBA veteran

ALENOGENES SASAN
A good three-point shooter and a solid defender all rolled into one. That's what Alenogenes Sasan is. These attributes made it possible for Sasan to be named to the Philippine team to the ABC Men's championship in Kobe, Japan and the Manila SEA Games. "That is really my dream. Even before coming to Manila I already dreamt of becoming a national player. Kahit sino naman, iyan talaga ang pinapangarap. At least, ako ay sinuwerte," said Allen.  Allen was born on July 15, 1965 in Naga, Cebu and is the second of six kids (Mercedita, Allen, Edwin, Jovita, Edgar and Arvin) of Moises Sasan and Illuminada Repollo. He used to play baseball and volleyball during his elementary days. As a baseball player, he was a promising pitcher. He likewise got hooked on track and field and once won second place in the century dash. But the lure of basketball was hard to resist. More so, with the fact that the Sasans were neighbors of Melchor Ravanes in Cebu. "Idolo ko si Biboy kaya nga nahilig din ako sa basketball," he said. He tried out at Cebu Central College and quickly caught the fancy of coach Joaquin Rojas. He played a season for the junior team, temporarily moved over to the Cebu Technical School where he dribbled for two years and then completed his studies at CCC where he spent three more seasons with the Executives. From there, the 5-11 Sasan played for Magnolia Quench Plus, Balls Bar, and El Rancho in Cebu caging. Last year, he was taken in by Burger City. When the Burger Masters disbanded, Sasan was drafted by Triple V Restaurant this season. Considered a moment of glory in his career was the fact that twice he was named Most Valuable Player. The first was during the 1987 Battle of Champions which featured Letran, Ateneo and CCC. But most importantly, he was named MVP during a mini-series which featured a visiting Chinese team. That stint against the Chinese was memorable. In fact, he'll probably be a marked man in the Kobe ABC if the Chinese remember him still. The most triples he scored in one game was 15, but he says he only resorts to the howitzer when the situation calls for it. "Kung puwede naman sa higher percentage shot, e, di doon na lang." In the ABC, though, coach Francis Rodriguez expects him to sizzle in the three-point region to open up the defenses of the taller Chinese.