THE SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles may be soaring now just days after they collected another championship in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) high school basketball tournament.
But head coach Rommel Rasmo distinctly remembers the time when they had to pick the pieces up after they failed to make it to the Final Four last year in spite of the firepower and talent that particular team had.
“It was a painful season for us because we really expected that line up last year to make the Final Four and I believed personally that we had a talented line up,” said the affable long-time head coach of Ateneo de Cebu. “Although I am very proud of that group, it was a bitter season and we vowed to redeem ourselves and commit to one another in preparing for this season.”
The off-season gave Rasmo the opportunity to reflect and learn from a fellow coach who was based in Davao, Noli Ayo, who he says lent him a booklet that provided him with wisdom that served him and the rest of the Magis Eagles well this season.
“We just need to ‘Pound the Rock’ which inspires me to keep going and keep the faith that led us to where we are right now as champions once again,” said Rasmo.
In spite of a slow start that was primarily because of the integration of all the new pieces to the Magis Eagles squad, Ateneo de Cebu eventually hit their stride before finally vanquishing the erstwhile champs, University of Cebu, 2-0, in the finals showdown.
“We wanted the team to mature and hit the right peak as the season progressed. As we witnessed the chemistry of the team went naturally, it gave us a bigger picture that we had a chance to make it in the Final Four and once we got there, we would take it one game at a time until we achieved our goal,” said Rasmo.
Helping to lead the Magis Eagles to the promised land was LA Casinillo, a heady wingman who was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Rasmo says as impressive as the young man is on the hardcourt, what he does outside of it is also worth mentioning.
“LA is a one of a kind student-athlete not only because he won the MVP award and became a champion this year but most importantly, he is a role model of what an athlete should be, to excel in academics and in the sport he loves most,” said Rasmo of his ward. “Of course, it was not easy for him to make the transition from Passerelle to the juniors but we saw a lot of potential in him. His maturity and leadership this year was noticeable and since he has one more year, I expect more from him in our upcoming tournaments.”