How we became champions

Enderun Colleges’ Women’s Basketball Team emerged as champions in their maiden season in NAASCU Season 16.

By Shen Callangan, Captain of the Women’s Basketball Team, as told to INK Writer, Dannah Cuizon.

The toughest challenge that we encountered during the championship was that the games coincided with the week of final exams, reports and projects. We’re at Enderun to study and graduate. Honestly, with the worry about our grades at the back of our heads, it was not a very easy task to play to win. We all had to try harder to maintain focus on our game plan.

Aside from that, the other big challenge was to beat Rizal Technical University, a very strong team. But somehow we knew that if we just played our best and gave everything we got, we could beat them!

Teamwork? For me that means to play my personal best, I have to work in my teammates in all the plays.  So I had to set-up good plays, rebound the ball, and pass it to  my teammates. When the whole team shows results and scores high, then I’m playing my best.

Sports for me is a big challenge, even to my potential business career. I’d like

to become a professional player or a coach after I graduate. I love basketball and have been enjoying it for years. But I would also love to have my own business one day as well so I can provide for my family and for myself. So facing this challenge impels me to play my best, but also to study hard and graduate.

Most important for me and all my teammates  is a livelier school spirit among the students.  This helps the athletes perform better and see that they are playing not only for the school name but also their fellow students. It boosts morale and self-confidence.

Leadership is being able to handle attitudes, behaviors and personalities. It also means taking up ones’s responsibilities to the team. When you have an amazing coaching staff and great teammates, genuine leadership comes more easily.