Many have been wondering why and how the Tigers won the big UAAP Basketball Championship. In fact, even the Thomasian community has been for a while euphorically suspended in disbelief! It took us some time to fully realize that we really got that spectacular victory. There are many reasons imagined to have generated that big win including Divine Intervention and ghost stories. Definitely, God’s grace is at work in every good thing that we do, and in the end, we can only thank and praise him for his blessings. The people we love even when they are dead, can be our inspiration and in a way, help us to do our best in order to succeed.
Besides God’s grace and the inspiration of their comrade who died saving others, I believe the following factors brought them victory. Obviously, they have talents. They have character as well. I used the word character here to refer to the bundles of good values and traits that they have shown. Many times we see them going to the chapel in group or alone””something that many of our students, faculty members, non-academic employees, and administrators also do. It is an indication that somehow, we allow God to be in control of our lives, to be in charge. It shows that whatever we do, even the games that we play in the hardcourt cannot be divorced from our relationship with God. No wonder they (our players) would constantly make the sign of the cross even inside the court.
They are respectful and they are not ashamed or embarrassed to show gestures of respect. Kahit saan makasalubong at makakita ng pari, sila’y nagmamano. Sila na lang yata ang mga UAAP players na nagmamano””something that may appear trivial and yet very visible indication of their humble and respectful disposition. And even after they reaped accolades and earned “celebrity status,” they have not developed “celebrity complex.” They remained simple and humble.
Our Tigers are in touch with life’s difficulties and they know that they really need to work hard in order to achieve their ambition. And they did work very hard. The talents were there, the good traits and dispositions, and the willingness to work hard. Fortunately, somebody who could inspire them came along””Mr. Pido Jarencio. Of course, he knows the techniques and strategies of basketball, being a basketball player himself, but I believe something else enabled him to bring together and harness to the maximum the talents of our Tigers. He took time to know them, and to relate with them with respect. He trusted them. He showed that he cared.
During the finals, when Jarencio approached John Paul Cuan and touched the latter’s hand before doing charity shots, the audience spontaneously laughed. It was a comic relief indeed. However, the message came across the audience very subtly but clearly; Pido was in touch with his players. He knew his players, and his players knew him. And the rest is history.
Congratulations to the Tigers and the coaching staff headed by Mr. Pido Jarencio. Congratulations to all the other teams and coaching staffs of the UST Tigers who equally did their best and excelled in different sports events. Congratulations and thanks to the administration and staff of IPEA. The whole Thomasian community is proud of you. Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
