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Mendiola Magic

November 29, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Los Angeles Aftershock News Release


Mendiola

Sister and brother. Teammates and running buddies. Giuliana and Fabrizio. Professional basketball players.

I can think of some brother and sister acts when it comes to basketball. Reggie and Cheryl Miller. Ann and David Meyers. I am not sure that any of those named ever played together. Professionally. On the same team. At the same time. It happened in Los Angeles for the 4-2 Los Angeles Aftershock of the ABA. Anything one Mendiola does becomes a family affair. The Aftershock roster has fallen under the spell of Mendiola Magic.

Imagine the moment for Mom, Alicia Mendiola for a brief second. Most parents look down at their children as infants and wish for health, happiness and some moderation of success. They wish that the siblings get along and that maybe they will make some mark on the planet as they grow. Some even dare to hope that they are elite, and that they are good people. Alicia and Edguardo Mendiola smiled on Sunday, because history says that when they looked down and wished, the wish was granted.

Mind you all, Alicia Mendiola smiles often. Largely. Stunningly. So when she smiled that Sunday in Los Angeles, it had to be a little brighter, a little longer and a little stronger. Maybe she cried, but I am not sure. But a tear of joy would have been welcomed. Her son and daughter had done something that no other brother and sister could claim. The duo played together in a "men's" professional basketball game. Historical, yes. Impressive, yes. Done before, no.

Giuliana is no stranger to basketball fanatics, having been named the Women's Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year while at the University of Washington. She logged some time with the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA. She has played overseas professionally and is looking to get back to "the league." The WNBA.

Fabrizio is a newer face to fanatics. He might even be the third best guard in the family behind another sister, Gioconda, who played point guard at Washington along side Giuliana. (Okay, he's the second best!) But how strong of a love must he possess to stand beside his sister in the land of 7-foot behemoths and skeptic male fans? He does so, with the smile passed on by Alicia and shared by Giuliana, because its family. Its in their blood.

Before that Sunday, there were questions about Giuliana and her ability to contribute against men at this level. Or at any level. Would she get in shape? Would she put in the hard work required to get better? Would she get frustrated at not being a star? Could she make her game fit the men's game? Could she get he shots off against the taller, faster stronger men? Saturday night, Giuliana played her first minutes in a loss, but was on the floor as the Aftershock erased a 6 point deficit and turned it into an 8 point lead.

Sunday was unique in knowing that something was different about the game. Head Coach Andre Smith thought that it was time to throw some gas on the fire by starting Giuliana at guard against the Tijuana Dragons. There were smiles on the Aftershock bench and in the crowd. The Dragons were not as pleased at the perceived slap in the face or the pending footnote in history. They would enter the game as spectators to history and a change in perception.

Mendiola, 5'11, started at the off guard position for Los Angeles on offense, but was assigned the task of guarding Deandre Moore from San Diego State, the Dragons point guard. It didn't take long for Mendiola to make a mark on the game as she assisted the first basket of the game on a nice bounce pass to Nick Sheppard cutting to the basket. Two possessions later, Mendiola picked up a steal in the backcourt, courtesy of an Aftershock full court press, and scored her first basket of the game. Mendiola finished the first quarter with 3 points, 2 assists and 2 steals while Moore was scoreless and held to one assist. Mendiola wasn't done, as she scored 6 points in the second quarter to go along with another steal and assist as LA led by 19 at half-time. Mendiola was joined on the floor Fabrizio during a stretch of the game. The final game numbers for Mendiola, 12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 4 steals in the 141-102 win. No minutes in the final quarter of the blowout, no fattening of stats, no turnovers. NBA veteran Olden Polynice said "we cant put her back in the game, its trash time and starters don't play during trash time." Indeed.

Since that game, Mendiola has played in all three Aftershock wins against SoCal and Bellingham. Socal Head Coach and former NBA veteran Gary Grant said "I might have to sign the other sister if she's as good as Giuliana." In the Bellingham win, Mendiola played 14 or the final 18 minutes in the 117-113 come from behind win. Los Angeles was trailing when Mendiola entered the game to defend former BYU guard Kevin Woodberry, who had 24 points to that time in the game. Woodberry went scoreless the remainder of the game and was held to two assists, while Mendiola had 2 points and 2 assists down the stretch. After the game, Head Coach Andre Smith simply smile as he said "I guess the question over whether the Mendiola Magic is real or not has been answered."

Oddly enough, I have the feeling that this is just the beginning of more "Mendiola Magic." For the family, the teammates and the fans, it appears that being this close to history has its perks. Mother Mendiola knew something long ago that most of us are just learning now. The smile gives it away. The magic exists, its real, and its amazing to be around.

I have a 13 year old daughter that I like to show that anything is possible for her, regardless of race, sex or otherwise. I tend to pay attention to what's on her bedroom wall and what jerseys she asks for to wear around. Now when she asks if she can be anything that she wants, I only have to point to the Number 13 jersey that Giuliana wears and I smile. I don't have to worry about explaining that women can do whatever they put their minds to, because now I know someone that epitomizes just that message. Mendiola Magic confirms that ANYTHING is possible, and that with a door open, you only need walk through it. The ABA has opened that door, and Mendiola stands proudly in that door, as a true idol. Young ladies all over the US can look at her and know, I CAN. As a matter of fact, with Christmas coming and gift time upon us, I wont have to go far to find the perfect gift for my daughter. Its heroic and uplifting. All I have to do now is ask Giuliana to autograph a picture for her wall. I cant think of a better image for her to dream under. Its magic.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.



American Basketball Association Stories from November 29, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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