Guts, big heart fanned Blazers’ epic victory

MEM · Oct 13, 2000, 09:14 AM

Source: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News20001013167103.htm

Guts, big heart fanned Blazers’ epic victory
by :Joey Villar 10/13/00

Even the St. Benilde Blazers themselves couldn’t believe how fast they made a name in the NCAA but coach Dong Vergeire thought otherwise because he knew the team has what it takes to become champs — guts and heart.
"This is a sweet victory for us because we won the championship trophy despite the odds," said Vergeire minutes after the Blazers crowned themselves champions of the 76th NCAA basketball tournament Wednesday following a 74-61 victory over the San Sebastian Stags.

"Everybody was putting us down, as if the team never existed. But we proved them wrong because we believed in ourselves and we put our hearts into it ," the youthful mentor added.

St. Benilde fans chanted "Animo Benilde, Animo Benilde," at the Rizal Coliseum as Vergeire and his boys celebrated their first crown after only three years in the league.

More than determination and a heart of a champion, St. Benilde obviously had the talent – two skilled players in every position — that became noticeable midway in the season when the Taft-based squad started winning.

After the Blazers saw their starting forward Bernardino Menor suffer a serious knee injury for their third straight setback at the start of the season, Vergeire and his charges picked up the pieces as they came away with nine wins in their next 11 outings to finish third behind elimination round topnotchers Jose Rizal and University of Perpetual Help-Rizal.

Written off anew against the Altas, who boasted of Philippine Basketball League veterans in their fold, the Blazers stunned the Las Piñas-based squad with two clutch triumphs to arrange a best-of-three series with the Stags, who stunned the Heavy Bombers in the other semis match.

Again, St. Benilde was the underdog against the much experienced SSC squad but Vergeire proved their critics wrong.

This time, it took a reliever in Mark Magsumbol, who was later named the Most Valuable Player of the series plus a squad of reliable mainstays to beat the Stags.

Magsumbol, a fourth year hotel and restaurant management student, took matters into his own hands as he dished out two heroic performances to power the over-achieving Blazers to victory.

All but two Blazers are eligible to play next season. With an almost intact line up, nobody will now dare write off St. Benilde in the title race.

[Edited by MEM on 10-13-2000 at 06:02 PM]

khakiskrt · Oct 13, 2000, 04:23 PM

Animo Benilde

MiLMarQ · Oct 13, 2000, 09:28 PM

I'm speechless of what i've read. All I could say is "Animo Benilde!"

MEM · Oct 14, 2000, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MiLMarQ
I'm speechless of what i've read. All I could say is "Animo Benilde!"

Ako speechless din ako sa picture na ito. Paano ba nila ginawa yung picture na 'to? Sobrang astig eh!

***AltarBoy^_^*** · Oct 15, 2000, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MEM

Quote:

Originally posted by MiLMarQ
I'm speechless of what i've read. All I could say is "Animo Benilde!"

Ako speechless din ako sa picture na ito. Paano ba nila ginawa yung picture na 'to? Sobrang astig eh!

Picture nila yan before the pep rally in a special newspaper in the Benildean before the start of the NCAA season. It's a great pose nga eh! Buti na lang at hindi nakalagay eh "WE ARE THE CHAMPIONSHIP"

Astig ng pose nila!

ANIMO BENILDE!!!

MEM · Oct 16, 2000, 08:13 AM

Ah ganun pala, kala ko matapos lang ng championship nila kinunan eh.


Oct 16, 2000, 08:13 AM	#6
MEM Banned by Admin Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Manila, Philipp	Galing! Ah ganun pala, kala ko matapos lang ng championship nila kinunan eh.


Oct 13, 2000, 09:14 AM	#1
MEM Banned by Admin Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Manila, Philipp	Source: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News20001013167103.htm Guts, big heart fanned Blazers’ epic victory by :Joey Villar 10/13/00 Even the St. Benilde Blazers themselves couldn’t believe how fast they made a name in the NCAA but coach Dong Vergeire thought otherwise because he knew the team has what it takes to become champs — guts and heart. "This is a sweet victory for us because we won the championship trophy despite the odds," said Vergeire minutes after the Blazers crowned themselves champions of the 76th NCAA basketball tournament Wednesday following a 74-61 victory over the San Sebastian Stags. "Everybody was putting us down, as if the team never existed. But we proved them wrong because we believed in ourselves and we put our hearts into it ," the youthful mentor added. St. Benilde fans chanted "Animo Benilde, Animo Benilde," at the Rizal Coliseum as Vergeire and his boys celebrated their first crown after only three years in the league. More than determination and a heart of a champion, St. Benilde obviously had the talent – two skilled players in every position — that became noticeable midway in the season when the Taft-based squad started winning. After the Blazers saw their starting forward Bernardino Menor suffer a serious knee injury for their third straight setback at the start of the season, Vergeire and his charges picked up the pieces as they came away with nine wins in their next 11 outings to finish third behind elimination round topnotchers Jose Rizal and University of Perpetual Help-Rizal. Written off anew against the Altas, who boasted of Philippine Basketball League veterans in their fold, the Blazers stunned the Las Piñas-based squad with two clutch triumphs to arrange a best-of-three series with the Stags, who stunned the Heavy Bombers in the other semis match. Again, St. Benilde was the underdog against the much experienced SSC squad but Vergeire proved their critics wrong. This time, it took a reliever in Mark Magsumbol, who was later named the Most Valuable Player of the series plus a squad of reliable mainstays to beat the Stags. Magsumbol, a fourth year hotel and restaurant management student, took matters into his own hands as he dished out two heroic performances to power the over-achieving Blazers to victory. All but two Blazers are eligible to play next season. With an almost intact line up, nobody will now dare write off St. Benilde in the title race. [Edited by MEM on 10-13-2000 at 06:02 PM]


Oct 13, 2000, 04:23 PM	#2
khakiskrt wanna be wakeboarder Join Date: May 2000 Location: Makati	Animo Benilde


Oct 13, 2000, 09:28 PM	#3
MiLMarQ Member Join Date: Jun 2000	I'm speechless of what i've read. All I could say is "Animo Benilde!"