PWC Patriots hailed champion of Samalenyos Cup 2018

No more dry spell—this was how Dr. Leah M. Cabang, head of the PWC School Sports Development Office (SSDO) phrased the PWC Patriots’ victory at the Samalenyos Cup 2018; the championship on December 8 just ended a 22-year drought for the PWC basketball team.

The Samalenyos Cup Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament is an annual event sponsored by the local government of Peñaplata, IGACOS that has been inviting colleges from Davao to compete. This year, PWC was invited for the first time and managed to dominate over 7 other schools: Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines, St. John Paul II College, STI, University of Southeastern Philippines, DMMA College of Southern Philippines, University of Mindanao, and Holy Cross College of Sasa.

Team Patriots’ 16 committed players under coach Joselito Celiz hustled since their first game on October 28 all the way to the championship game against Holy Cross College of Sasa on December 8. Having lost to the same college team in a close fight for third place at the DACS 2018 last September, emerging victorious at the Samalenyos Cup—with a lead of more than 12 points—was definitely a boost of morale.

READ: PWC competes in DACS College 2018

A well-attended event, Dr. Cabang considers the feat of utmost significance to PWC as it has been a great opportunity to market the institution. “Most importantly, it just gave our athletes greater motivation to do more,” she said, “now they will be playing with the mindset that they have a title to defend.”

The invitation in itself is testament to how PWC has been building a positive impression in the athletics department, and this recent achievement has just been a colossal addition. SSDO looks forward to more exciting opportunities for its athletes in the future, starting with an invitation to join an open volleyball tournament in Misamis Occidental on January 24 -27, 2019.

RCM

Photos courtesy of Dr. Leah M. Cabang