With the theme, Blaze: Igniting the Fire to Greatness, SSC-R Manila High School Department began this year’s intramural sports activities with a parade followed by an opening program at the SSC-R Manila Quadrangle, which was hosted by Matthew Gabriel B. Dizon and Victoria Nicolie Hope C. Maningas. Mrs. Joyette Victoria G. Galang, the MAPEH-CAT Subject Area Adviser, delivered some introductory words, just before some Grade 9 students presented an Opening Salvo, which ushered the parade of athletes in. Grade 7 students Althea J. De Guzman and Jerald M. Los Banos, and Sophia Allesandra Nillo and Mina Aeisha R. Tan led the Thanksgiving Prayer and National Anthem respectively.

Rev. Fr. Joel A. Alve, OAR, the Vice President for Student Welfare and Director for Basic Education, gave an inspirational talk. An exhibition of Pencak Silat was then presented by athletes headed by Mr. Rene Cristobal.Pencak Silat Jasper Philip J. Magno, the NCAA Junior Basketball Captain Ball, led the pronouncement of the Oath of Sportsmanship, followed by the Torch Lighting led by Rey Angelo Obniala (NCAA Volleyball Athlete). This marked the opening of the games,which was officially declared by the High School Principal, Dr. Juliet M.Baltazar.

With the students’ ePencak Silatnthusiasm and excitement rising, the Ceremonial Toss was officiated by the Vice President for Administration, Rev. Fr. Don H. Besana, OAR.

The 17-year old Regille Kent Ilagan led his team with 22 points while Jasper Magno and Lorenzo Navarro combined for 21 points to bounce back after their three frustrating games.

It was a tight start for both teams until Ilagan scored a 3-point basket to end the scoring drought. The first quarter ended with the score 13-11 in favor of the Staglets.

Staglets opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run. Red Cubs immediately answered with 7 straight points to come close but the Staglets ended the first half strong, 34-22. Ilagan scored 13 of his 22 points in the first half.

Red Cubs started their run at the 6th-minute mark of the third quarter to cut their deficit to 4 points. They [Red Cubs] made another 9-0 run to take the lead, 43-46. They outscored Staglets  28-13 in the 3rd quarter.

Both had exchange of baskets at the start of the 4th quarter. Ilagan, together with Magno, helped the Staglets to tie the game at 61 with 3:49 time remaining in the game. Staglets made defensive stops at the final minutes of the game to snatch the win from the Red Cubs.

The game is a good farewell win for Lorenzo Navarro, as he will help the Philippine Team in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship on August 8-16 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Staglets pulled of an impressive all-around performance to turn back a gritty University of Perpetual Help System Delta (UPHSD) to an 81 – 69 victory.

It was a slow start though for the Staglets as the Junior Altas immediately made a 0 – 9 run. Their lead extended up to 11 points at the end of the first quarter, 10 – 21. But the Staglets came to life in the second quarter, as co-captain Lorenzo Navarro and starting center Chester Sera Josef joined Magno in the scoring spree, ending the first half at 37 apiece.

Back-to-back 3’s from Magno and Navarro opened up the 2nd half for the Staglets, giving them an early 6-point lead, 43 – 37. Junior Altas tried coming back but the already fired up Staglets held on to their lead 59 – 53 in the third quarter. In the last stretch of the 4^th quarter, Staglets frustrated the offense of the Junior Altas and eventually pulled away to clinch a 2 – 1 standing.

After the back-to-back victory of the Stags last Saturday (June 28) and Staglets on Sunday (June 29), the world of social media was filled with hashtags of Sebastinians such as #BringBackTheGlory and #proudsebastino.

With almost half of the team rookies, Stags was able to defeat the Letran Knights, their Season 89 undefeated rival in basketball, with a score of 85-83. For Season 90, Coach Topex Robinson posed his veterans Jovit dela Cruz, Jamil Ortuoste, Bradwyn Guinto, Jaymar Perez and Bobby Baculanag as good examples to the rookies of their team, Earvin Alvarez, Michael Calisaan, Ryan Costelo, Jerick Fabian, Justin Mercado, Spencer Petta, Jeffrey Santos and Rhanzelle Yong.

In another bout, after the overtime game of Staglets with Letran Squires, the Staglets dominated in a score of 62-59.
These games give the Sebastinian community the hope that it will reclaim what it once had and shall bring back its glorious days this season 90.

“We did not start from zero; we started from negative,” said Coach Franco having known the academic deficiencies of his players that might have made them ineligible for the season.

To initially address the problem, training sessions were set from 5 A.M. to 7:30 A.M. to allow some players to attend to their academic deficiencies. Trainings resumed at 5 pm onwards.

Even with such tight schedule and condition, they were still able to participate in the FilOil Flying-V Pre-Season Cup.  Though unsuccessful to finish strong, it became the tune-up tournament for the team to get adapted with the new basketball program they are in. “We are really in the rebuilding stage,” team captain Jasper Philip Magno said.

As part of the pre-season preparations, Coach Franco, together with his coaching staff, presented an overview of the new Basketball Athletes Program to the teachers and players’ parents and guardians last June 4 and 7 respectively. The new program, serving as the guide for the holistic formation and development of the basketball athletes, basically defines what a student-athlete is and how he should regard himself as a student and an athlete. Moreover, it emphasizes that attitude, academic standing, and skills are the major considerations before one can be a part of the team. It also presents the core support needed by the athletes to grow and be driven in their pursuit to excellence. This includes the family, academic personnel, coaches, and school personnel.

Topping their pre-season preparation, they, joining the seniors’ basketball team, strengthened their team spirit and camaraderie in an overnight team building at Philip’s Sanctuary, Antipolo, Rizal last June 20-21.

“That was an opportunity for the whole team to bond and get gelled with each other so during the games, we can play as one,” said Mario Emmanuel Bonleon III, one of this year’s rookies.

With all preparations the team had for the NCAA season, they are hopeful to better their best, make a strong finish, and finally bring the elusive championship back to the institution.

Before formally opening the season, the PEP squads and drum lines of participating schools performed each school’s respective chant, followed by the introduction of the NCAA policy board members and management committee members from participating schools.

With this year’s theme “TC360_2014-06-30-18-25-30-001oday’s Heroes, Tomorrow’s Legends – NCAA @ 90: We Make History”, the season opened with an amazing shadow play presentation showcasing the different sports in NCAA.

Dr. Vincent K. Fabella, President of Jose Rizal University and the new Policy Board President of NCAA, said that “this season’s theme has never been more appropriate as we pay tribute to all those who have laid the foundation for us to be here and to strive for the same greatness. Let us use this season as a platform to continue and promote sportsmanship and camaraderie among student-athletes and member schools. While epitomizing excellence in the field of sports, together we build a legacy, turn heroes into legends. We pave the way for the present, converge with the future. Together, let us all make history.”

San Beda Red Lions team captain Kyle Pascual led the Oath of Sportsmanship before the athletes of participating schools of NCAA.

The host school JRU Heavy Bombers battled with the defending champion San Beda Red Lions immediately after the opening ceremony. The Red Lions ruled over the Heavy Bombers with the score of 57-49. The second game was a match between the San Sebastian Golden Stags and Letran Knights. With a score of 85-83, the Golden Stags won.

One may be led to remember these words of Augustine, the famed bishop of Hippo, when one comes to know Jamil Ortuoste. At first, he may seem simply shy. He would say that he feels comfortable wearing polo shirt paired with the usual jeans as he thinks this may make him look more decent and respectable; that is, comparing it with how he feels and looks wearing non-collared shirts. This somehow says a lot about this man’s simplicity. Getting to know him more would lead one to realize that it is indeed possible for one to become great and yet remain humble. One may even learn that the only sure way to achieving greatness is through humility. This virtue is very much embedded in the education Jamil receives from San Sebastian College – Recoletos Manila, which is run by the Order of Augustinian Recollects priests.

Some say that God gives this grace of humility to those who ask for it. Sometimes, though, God grants this through experiences of humiliation. Only those who embrace and survive such experiences would receive the gift of humility. That gift is the key that shall unlock the door towards greatness.

Born on the 13th day of November in 1991, Jamil’s personal history is definitely not without experiences that challenge his fortitude.

This young man whose concept of family is “masaya, buo, kumpleto, laging magkasama sa hirap at ginhawa; hindi lang sa sarap magkakasama, pati sa hirap,” remembers that one of the lowest points of his life was when his parents separated when he was just 4 years old. In spite of this, though, he does not harbor any ill feeling towards any of his parents. He also maintains good relationship with his siblings, who turn out to be much proud of him.
Who wouldn’t become proud of him, especially now that college basketball history begins to be adorned by his name?
Interestingly, this recent and seemingly sudden rise to popularity also surprises Jamil who, clearly, is just passionate about the game and always sees everything as blessings from God.

Influenced and inspired by his father who used to play basketball for FEU when he was in high school, Jamil remembers starting playing this particular game when he was still 5 years old. Obviously, he is still very much into it.
He shares an amusing anecdote about the manner by which he got himself into the team under Coach Raymond Valenzona. He reveals that it was his brother who really was bent on getting into the team. He narrates: “tinext ko si Coach gamit ang cellphone ng kuya ko. Tapos nagpakilala akong siya (his brother). Saka tinanong ko kung pwede bang magtry-out si Jamil, yung kapatid ko. Tapos, nagreply naman si Coach: Sige. Okay lang.” Thus, as the cliché goes, the rest is history.

Asked what and how he contributes to each of the games he plays, he responds by calling himself a role-player. This, he explains, means that his mindset is to simply focus on every game and on the goal of the team, and to simply do what he must or what is required of him to do. This mindset seems to be a product of working with their coach, whom Jamil obviously highly respects.

Jamil unreservedly mentions two main goals in life: to play in the Philippine Basketball Association league and to have a family of his own (and be a responsible father). In order to accomplish these, he shares that he strives everyday to balance his studies and training. He has to wake up early in the morning for training and has to attend his classes in the afternoon. He clearly knows, though, that all these are necessary sacrifices for him to have a better future.

He looks back to one significant event in his life that seems to serve as the most pivotal experience for him.
After high school, he took up BS Education in the Far Eastern University where he also joined the FEU Tamaraws team so he may continue to play. There, he spent two years as member of Team B. While doing some physical exercises using weights, his back was injured. He thought that the injury was trivial; but, as it turned out, it would mean not being able to play. This caused him much frustration that he almost decided never to play again.
In a significant twist of events, during those months of having a bout with depression, Coach Raymond gave him another chance to play again. He came back to San Sebastian as a member of the Team C for Stags. This proved to be providential, seemingly echoing words from Psalm 40: “He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure.” That opportunity made Jamil realize that he has to do something, he has to work. It also made him see that he no longer seems to have enough time, and that he is not getting any younger.

Doubting his capabilities did not leave him, but he worked hard and persevered until he was chosen to play for Team A. Disappointments and frustrations do not stop for this man, though. Asked what he may say about himself, or what his realizations are, he answers: “Hindi ko pinupush yung sarili ko. Before magstart ang NCAA Season 89, madami na ang naniniwala sa akin, pero ako, wala akong tiwala sa sarili ko.”

As if life, like a mentor, was bent on changing this self-esteem and was bent on teaching this man certain lessons so he may be molded to become great, his resilience to endure trials was once again tested. During the recently-held FilOil games, he once again felt back pains that led Coach Michael Christopher “Topex” Robinson to advise him to rest. That meant not playing during the game. This could have been taken as another obstacle to his desire to play if not for the Coach telling him that he needs him to rest so he may play for the NCAA Season 89. That, like a flame, warmed his heart and filled him with hope. He realized he has the chance to be lined-up for NCAA. This fueled his burning desire to go out into the court and battle it out with other teams.

That time, he had no inkling about one thing: that the moment he played would catapult him to a certain level of stardom. “Lahat siguro ng nangyari ay blessing: nangyari, kasi may purpose,” he later would realize. This realization always fills him with much gratitude. In the future, he says, he would also like to be able to share these blessings by teaching other aspiring players how to play basketball. Asked until when he would play basketball, he answered: “Kung hanggang kailan ko kaya maglaro ng basketball; kasi mahal ko talaga ang basketball.”

About the San Sebastian crowd during the games, he says: “Sana mas dumami pa. Thankful ako, kasi kahit minsan gabi na yung game, nandoon pa din sila. Sa kanila kami kumukuha ng lakas. Once kasi na makita mo na yung crowd, gaganahan ka na.”

“Yung faith ko kay God, sa kanya lang ako kumukuha ng lakas. Especially nung time na na-frustrate ako at lubog na lubog at walang mapuntahan kasi kahit family ko galit sa akin, sa Kanya lang ako lumapit. Araw- araw akong nagsisimba. Kahit na may mga hindi magandang nangyari sa akin thankful pa din ako”
This defines Jamil Ortuoste.