San Sebastian Staglets remain grateful despite tough losses in NCAA, NBTC

Published March 22, 2024 9:27pm

Updated March 22, 2024 9:27pm

The past few days were eventful for the San Sebastian College-Recoletos high school program.

On Wednesday morning, the Staglets fell short against Mapua University in the NCAA Season 99 Juniors Basketball tournament Battle for Third, 64-62. 

Just hours after, they eked out a 71-69 win against 1San Rafael in the NBTC National Finals Supreme 16, with Jhun Peñaverde scoring 38 points and the game-winner.

“Masaya po kasi unang game po namin doon [sa venue] and pangarap po naming makalaro dito sa MOA Arena. Nagbunga ang paghihirap namin na makapasok dito,” Peñaverde told GMA News Online on Thursday.

(We’re happy that we played at the MOA Arena because it was our dream. Our hardship bore fruit.)

On Thursday afternoon, the Staglets then faced a familiar foe in Mapua’s Nico Mulingtapang as they went against Batang Tiaong in the NBTC Fantastic Eight round. However, the Staglets were knocked out, 80-66, which somehow formally ended their season.

This also meant an end to the high school career of graduating Staglets such as Ruvic Danag, who remained grateful for the opportunities which came to him and his team.

“Magandang opportunity sa amin na graduating kami and nakapasok sa Final Four [in the NCAA]. Dito sa NBTC, nabigyan kami ng opportunity para preparation namin papuntang college,” Danag said.

(This is a good opportunity for us graduating players and we made it to the Final Four in the NCAA. Here in NBTC, we were given the opportunity to prepare for college.)

Grade 12 player Rion Porcadas also echoed this sentiment.

“Sobrang laking pasasalamat sa coaches at sa teammates kasi nabigyan kami ng opportunity na makapaglaro sa isa sa pinakamatataas na liga sa Pilipinas. For sure, ‘yung experience po is dadalhin ko sa college sa next chapter [ng career],” said Porcadas.

(A big thank you to our coaches and teammates because we were given the opportunity to play in one of the top leagues in the Philippines. This experience will be brought in college in the next chapter of our career.)

Danag, however, posed a challenge to his remaining teammates.

“Sabi ko nga sa natitirang teammates ko, kailangan nilang bumawi and kailangan nilang paghirapan lahat ng gagawin nila sa ensayo,” he added.

(I told my teammates to bounce back and they need to work hard in practice.)

Danag, a member of the NBTC 24 which will play in the NBTC All-Star Game on Saturday, and Porcadas said they have yet to decide on the next steps of their respective careers.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News