LAST May 6, the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions Basketball Team took home the win from their game against the San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) Men’s Basketball Team for the Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (MNCAA) Season 19. 

The First Five 

The starting lineup for the SBCA Men’s Basketball Team were Gian Samonte (II-BSBA-MM), James Matthew Castillo (IV-BSA), John Austin Garinga (IV-BSBA), John Fabros (IV-BSE) and Mike Jake Capulong (IV-BSBA-MM). As for the CEU Scorpions, their lineup included the following players: Brian Javier, Ayodeji Balogun, Christian Treb Malicana, Jayson Puray and Mark Anthony Anagbogu.

During the first quarter, CEU had the upper hand and led the game by seven points. However, Fabros, who scored SBCA’s tenth point, promptly made up the difference and brought the score to 11-10. The second quarter was immediately put to a halt when CEU’s Balogun sustained an injury, but returned  in the succeeding quarter.

Every second counts

Before resuming to the second half of the game, SBCA requested a timeout. CEU once again led the third quarter by 21 points. But SBCA was determined to catch up in the following quarter as Sarmiento scored three points, swiftly filling the gap and raising the score to 78-47. The game comes to an end when Andrey Mandapat from CEU scores their team’s final point. The results were 81-47, making CEU the overall winner.

Words from the Captain

THE BEDAN HERALD interviewed the captain of SBCA Men’s Basketball Team, James Christian Yu (IV-BSBA-MM), about their game against CEU. “I watched them fight and saw the heart and eagerness to win. They [CEU] are a high caliber team that competes with North schools and known universities. They also have imports which gives us a disadvantage. I am proud of my team.”

When asked what the best part of being their team captain was, Yu said it was “to see and witness a great team forming, preparing and being hungry for a crown. We will keep working until we reach our goal… We play every game like it's our last. It keeps us from not being over confident thus enabling us to finish the game strong.” He added about how he keeps the team inspired and motivated. “I tell them that we should stay hungry for a win and that the foundation of the team is ‘hard work, teamwork, and heart.’”

Wrapping up the interview, Yu revealed that an important lesson he learned from his time as the captain of the team was to be a role model to them. “Being a leader for me it's not just a label or being the best player in the team,” he said.