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OLFU Phoenix on a Strong Start in NAASCU ’19
OLFU Phoenix on a Strong Start in NAASCU ’19

By: Vicente Santos

09/06/2019

By: Vicente Santos

09/06/2019

Last 05 September 2019, the Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) Phoenix were fired up and filled with optimism as they kicked off the 19th Season of the National Athletic Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) with a victory against the City University of Pasay (CUP), ending the game with a score of 100-74.

Going full-force on their initial bout of the season at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, members of the Fatima team stunned their opponents with a strong offense. In the 1st quarter, they led with 12 points, 22-10. However, come the early part of the 2nd quarter, the CUP Eagles rallied and narrowed the lead of the Phoenix who, in turn, rose to the challenge and fired-up their game. With less than a minute before the buzzer signaled halftime, OLFU upped its lead to 20 points, 43-23.

In the third and fourth quarters, the Fatima players maintained their momentum with sharp shots and three-pointers. Their dynamic play on the court had likewise kept them ahead in the second half, finishing triumphantly and bagging their first win with a 26-point lead. Rookie player Nikko Panganiban steered the team with 25 points, followed by Rommel Diosa who contributed 13 points, and Cas De Vera with 10 points.

While it is still very early in the season to predict results, Phoenix Head Coach Ralph Rivera said that the team is aiming to win the Championship. OLFU Executive Vice President Don August Santos, who was present to support the team, added that they always “play to win”, fair and square. “…they are the representatives of Our Lady of Fatima University so we’re proud to have them as our team and look forward to a good season”, he said.

For the past two years, Fatima had emerged as one of the frontrunners in the NAASCU, taking 2nd Place in Season 17, and making it to the Quarter Finals of Season 18.

Top scorer Panganiban, who is in his first year in the Phoenix Seniors Division, acknowledged the high expectations set upon him. Named as the Most Valuable Player of the BBI Alcatel Summer Camp in July, the young man is indeed a promising athlete — he vowed that he will give his very best for the team. “Maitutulong ko sa kanila ‘yung pagiging hardworker ko, ‘yung dedication ko sa laro na every game, puso ‘yung ginagamit”, he shared (“What I could contribute to the team is my hardworking attitude and dedication; I put my heart in every game that I play,” he shared).

Phoenix Christopher Essomba, on the other hand, said that the team has good and talented newcomers this season, therefore he has high hopes. Nonetheless, he also recognized that other schools will be more competitive. “Other teams would also want to win the championships. The thing we’re going to do is that we need to work harder than them and play smart — things like that make the difference between us and them,” he asserted.

For the team, support plays an integral role, a vital part that the University recognizes. Through the establishment of sports facilities, such as the newly-built Indoor Basketball Court in the Research, Innovation, Science and Enterprise (RISE) Tower, OLFU hopes to boost the athletic potentials of its students. “Our objective, our vision is not just to develop our students academically but also, of course, mind, body, and spirit, and part of that is athletics,” Santos expressed. Aside from this, moral support is very much valued by the team. “We really need it actually, so if we have a lot of students just to cheer for us, it’s going to be really, really fun,” mused Essomba.

Prior to the game, the Phoenix made their first appearance in the official opening of the 19th Season of NAASCU at the same venue. With them were reigning Mister and Miss OLFU, Sam Dulla and Almas Choudhry of the Antipolo Campus, who stood as their muse and escort.

Gracing the ceremony was Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, who, in her inspirational message, emphasized the value of sports in building one’s character. Steve Hontiveros of the Philippine Olympic Committee and Agus Mauro of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association were also among the event’s esteemed guests.