THE Sisters of Mary School (SMS-Boystown) Aloysians were a revelation in the recently concluded 2018 Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals as they surprised everyone by making it all the way to the semifinal round in the secondary boys’ basketball event.
The grassroots team held its own against the powerhouse teams from Cebu and Bacolod en route to a bronze medal finish in only its second stint in the school-based meet last Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
The Aloysians faced two-time defending champion Tay Tung High School from Bacolod City in the semis match and gave Tay Tung a run for its money in a nip-and-tuck-affair. The Aloysians even led at some point but eventually yielded by six, 82-76, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Gym in Canduman, Mandaue City.
The Aloysians’ spirits were not dampened by that defeat as they bounced back and vented ire on the University of San Carlos Basic Education Department (USC-Bed), 64-52, in the bronze medal-match.
“I told them in a team huddle before the battle for third that if we win, we’re going to the awarding ceremony at the SM Seaside. Most of the players haven’t been here,” said head coach Van Halen Parmis in an interview during the awarding ceremony.
SMS-Boystown made it to the semis after two blowout wins in the elimination round. They annihilated St. Cecilia, 84-27, before routing the Don Bosco Technological Center, 67-49.
The students of SMS-Boystown are less-fortunate kids who stay at the campus, making it a perfect platform for the sports training program.
Parmis recalled the first time he went to the school about three years ago and talked to the school’s local superior Sr. Emelan Lee.
“The local superior told me, that she didn’t believe me when I told her that I wanted to do a sports clinic. She said that a lot of people came to the school and gave their calling cards but would not return,” said Parmis.
The passionate coach was challenged and he did return, bringing along University of Visayas guard Sheldon Gahi and former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Eliud Poligrates. The rest is history.
Parmis said that if the program, sponsored by the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) continues, the school’s basketball team will get a chance to win a gold medal in the Milo Little Olympics three or five years from now.
He said that the school’s entry as a guest team in the 12-Under division of Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) will help in the progress of the students as the experience and exposure against the Cesafi schools will improve them.
“These kids from the U-12 will eventually join the Milo Little Olympics. They will be experienced enough at that time, when they turn 16,” he said.
The Grade 11 student CJ Gonzales, who erupted for 26 points against USC-Bed and scored 19 against Tay Tung High School, is hoping that someday he will be recruited by a college team.
“That’s my ambition for CJ, to make it to a college team. The bigger picture for them is to finish their education, next is sports,” he said.
Encouraging the grassroots kids to become champions not just in sports but in life is what Wilfrido De Ocampo; the vice-president of Nestle Philippines, pointed out on the opening ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center.
“Sports is a great teacher. One can learn values, discipline and teamwork that they can apply in real life,” he said.
The basketball secondary title went to the SHS-AdC after beating Tay Tung, 75-67, in the championship match. RSC