LEBRON Jhames Daep may be the toast of the NCAA caging these days.

But almost three decades before, it was the father, Rommel Daep, who made his imprint on Philippine basketball.

PHOTO: NCAA Philippines/GMA Sports

For today’s young fans, his name may no longer ring a bell, but it’s actually the same pedigree that has been flowing in the veins of the newly-minted juniors MVP who steered Perpetual to its first-ever NCAA championship in any level.

Like Lebron Jhames, the elder Daep was also a winner.

“Yes, member ako ng five-peat (NCAA champion) ng San Sebastian,” Daep, a known high-flyer in college, proudly said of that legendary Golden Stags quintet.

Not only was he a member of that fabled team, but also served as captain of the talented unit that boasted the likes of former MVP Rommel Adducul, Brixter Encarnacion, Jasper Ocampo, the late Ulysses Tanigue, Banjo Calpito, Jerome Barbosa, Alvin Pua, and Topex Robinson.

Now 50 and a member of the Jr. Altas’ coaching staff, Daep later played for coach Alfrancis Chua at Tanduay in the old Philippine Basketball League when his playing years with San Sebastian was over.

Like with the Golden Stags, he also won several titles with the Rhum Masters, where he became teammates with now NCAA juniors coaches Renren Ritualo of La Salle Green Hills and Letran’s Willie Miller.

“Nung first time nga nila ako nakita dito (NCAA), sabi nila, ‘O buhay ka pa pala,” Daep said laughing.

Like Miller and Ritualo, Daep later brought his act to the PBA where he was taken originally by San Miguel in the third round of the 1999 Draft (No. 21 overall), but ended playing for the Purefoods franchise.

The 6-foot-2 wingman played 45 games in three seasons with the Hotdogs under coach Derrick Pumaren.

“Nag finals kami dalawang beses, kalaban namin San Miguel (2000 Governors’ Cup) and Alaska (2000 Philippine Cup), pero parehas runner-up lang,” said Daep.

After his stint with the Hotdogs was over, he went back to the PBL and suited up for ICTSI-La Salle.

“Tapos after that umuwi na ko ng Bicol (Legazpi). Dun ko nakilala yung mommy ni Lebron. Hindi na ako bumalik ng Manila,” he recalled.

“Bumalik na ako dito 16 years old na si Lebron, yun na.”

Upon returning to Manila, he approached Perpetual to reconnect with an old, familiar NCAA official in athletic director Frank Gusi.

The veteran executive was the former athletic director of San Sebastian when Daep was still playing for the Golden Stags.

“After ng pandemic, nung medyo maluwag na, sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Anak, gusto mo sa Manila? Sabi niya, ‘Oo papa.’ Sabi ko, ‘Let’s go, Manila tayo,’” he shared.

Dahil kay sir [Frank] Gusi, siya ang athletic director ng Perpetual, siya rin yung athletic director ko (sa San Sebastian). Sabi ko, ‘Sir, pwede po ba yung anak ko?’ Sabi niya, 'Walang problema.' The rest is history.”

PHOTO: NCAA Philippines/GMA Sports

His son considered among the brightest stars in juniors basketball and an attractive catch come his college years, Daep decided to leave behind his coaching job at the Divine Word College in Albay to focus on helping track the career path of Lebron Jhames.

“Natutuwa ako na nakikita ko na yung anak ko. Tapos yung crowd, yung basketball, bumabalik sa akin. So sabi ko, tanggap ko na. Wala na ako, yung anak ko na lang,” said the elder Daep.

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