I still remember the first time I watched the Benilde basketball team play—there was something raw and untamed about their energy that told me this wasn't just another college squad. Fast forward to this season, and that same energy has crystallized into something formidable, something worthy of a championship run. What strikes me most isn't just their skill on the court, but the sheer resilience they've shown, game after game. It reminds me of players like Jack Animam of Gilas Women, who, after scoring just two points in the Australia game, bounced back spectacularly with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks in her next outing. That kind of mental toughness—the ability to shake off a poor performance and come back stronger—is exactly what I see in this Benilde team. They don’t just play; they evolve.
Let’s talk about their journey this season, because it’s been anything but linear. Early on, they struggled with consistency—winning one game by a narrow margin, then losing the next in heartbreaking fashion. I recall one match where they were down by 12 points at halftime, and honestly, I thought it was over. But then something shifted. They came back in the third quarter with a defensive intensity I hadn’t seen from them before, forcing turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. It was like watching a different team, and that game, in my opinion, marked a turning point. They finished the regular season with a record of 18 wins and 6 losses, which might not sound dominant, but if you look closer, you’ll see they peaked at the right time. Their average points per game jumped from 68.5 in the first half of the season to 78.2 in the second, and their three-point shooting accuracy improved from 32% to nearly 39%. Those numbers aren’t just stats—they’re proof of a team learning on the fly.
What really sets them apart, though, is their collective mindset. I’ve followed enough college teams to know that talent alone doesn’t win championships; it’s the intangibles—chemistry, leadership, and the ability to perform under pressure. Benilde’s captain, Miguel Santos, has been instrumental here. He’s not always the top scorer—averaging around 14 points per game—but his court vision and decision-making in clutch moments have saved them more than once. In the semifinals, for example, he dished out 11 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds, controlling the tempo when things got chaotic. That’s leadership you can’t teach. And let’s not forget their coaching staff, who’ve implemented a flexible offensive system that adapts to their opponents. They’ve moved away from relying solely on isolation plays and incorporated more ball movement, which, in my view, has made them less predictable and more dangerous.
Of course, no journey is without its hurdles. Injuries have been a recurring theme for Benilde, with key players like forward Anna Cruz missing five games due to an ankle sprain. When she was out, their rebounding numbers dipped by almost 15%, and they lost three of those five matches. It highlighted a lack of depth in their roster, something they’ll need to address moving forward. But here’s the thing—instead of crumbling, they used those losses as learning experiences. Younger players stepped up, and by the time Cruz returned, the team had developed a more balanced scoring approach. It’s reminiscent of how Jack Animam’s poor game against Australia forced her to refine her positioning and aggression, leading to that stellar 24-point performance later. Adversity, it seems, has been their best teacher.
Looking ahead, the future prospects for this team are incredibly bright, though not without challenges. They’re set to lose two seniors to graduation, including their starting point guard, which will create a void in playmaking. But based on what I’ve seen, their recruitment pipeline is strong—they’ve already secured commitments from two high school standouts who averaged over 20 points per game in their respective leagues. If they can integrate these newcomers quickly and maintain their defensive identity, I believe they’ll be contenders for the next three to four years. Personally, I’d love to see them focus more on developing their bench strength; right now, their reserves contribute only about 18 points per game, which pales in comparison to top-tier teams like San Beda, whose bench averages around 28. Closing that gap could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
In the end, Benilde’s journey to championship glory isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s a story of growth, both individually and as a unit. They’ve shown that with the right mindset, even setbacks can become stepping stones. As they prepare for the next season, I’m excited to see how they build on this foundation. Will they become a dynasty? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: they’ve already earned their place in the conversation, and I, for one, can’t wait to watch what comes next.
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