REACHING for wins takes more than sole superiority. Like most sports, victories require a strong bond forged within the locker room walls and strengthened in the field. As the Bedan Football Team sets their eyes on hitting that score, THE BEDAN HERALD highlights two of their star players: Jesse Lawrence A. Ricabo (IV-BSBA-MM) the Left Defender or Left Wing, and John Carlo V. Manahan, (II-BSA) Forward, Midfield or Defender of the Men’s Football Team.

Brotherhood Beginnings

When asked about how their partnership started, Manahan shared, “Since 2019, [I was in] Grade 11 and Jesse [was in his] first year of college, kami ang lagi magkasama since iisa lang kami ng tinitirhan or tinutulugan which is a dorm here in partner sa pag-kain and sa pag-lalaro and alam namin ang galaw ng bawat isa.” Ricabo added that while the duo did not play in the same league then, the bond they formed through living together in the SBCA dormitories strengthened their partnership now as they set their eyes on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) South Domination.

Peak of Dominance

Achieving effective harmony takes more than practice; it ignites from incubation of trust, respect, and loyalty. Both players remarked that their strength as a duo stems from mutual development. Manahan says, “I will correct kung ano yung mga mali niyang ginagawa sa drills, sa game, especially sa training… So ‘pag game na, hindi namin kailangan sabihin kung paano gagawin niya or ako dahil alam na namin ang galaw ng isa’t-isa.” Ricabo further explained, “We usually tell each other which part we need to improve in ourselves after being able to observe how we play the game during practice. We encourage each other to do better and commit less and [less] mistakes each time. Therefore, we have built our teamwork through coordination and communication.” The Bedan duo believes their coordination brings out the best of them in the team and states that their bond helps them formulate ideas on the field, making them “the hardest to surpass.” Manahan adding, “Our chemistry [is] what makes us different compared to the others as we are confident that when we are together, we are unstoppable.”

Two sides of a coin

As athletes and brothers, the unstoppable duo makes sure to extend their solidarity beyond field lines. Ricabo explained that their treatment in the field is similar to that outside. “Since we live [under] the same roof, we still correct one another if we dislike something one is doing.” Simply telling Manahan to eat during mealtime shows how Ricabo cares for him and his health. “Basically, we both work just like alarm clocks/reminders since we tell ourselves what tasks we need to do or if we have forgotten something,” he added. It is truly admirable to see these two form a brotherhood more than teammates over time.This in itself is the true value of sports —above victories, friendships.

Our Bedan football duo continues to inspire and motivate not just each other, but their community that stayed behind them through the years. Setting a benchmark for what true sportsmanship looks like, these two buddies are sure to kick their way to the goal as the SBCA Men’s Football team hopefully competes at next year’s NCAA.