EXPERIENCE is the best teacher and this is what exactly what the young ballers of the University of the Visayas (UV) utilized to vanquish their conquerors last year, La Salle Greenhills, and finally hoist the national championship in the Small Basketeers of the Philippines division of the 34th SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament National Finals in Roxas City last Sunday, November 24, 2019.
According head coach and former UV Green Lancer great Ronald Bucao, the squad that competed in the nationals last year were all rookies at that stage. But with the heartbreak of that loss fueling them, and a year of experience tucked in their belt, Bucao felt they were more equipped to go all the way this year.
“The squad last year was all first timers. They were not able to cope up the pressure,” said Bucao in an interview with SunStar the morning after his team won the title. “This year, there were a few of them nga naa pa and they knew what it’s like to play in the nationals already and naa na sila experience before so naa na advantage sila.”
When UV absorbed a 38-42 loss in the championship game last year, it was not just the team that took it hard, says Bucao. He also took it as a learning experience and vowed to be better.
“When we lost to La Salle last year, it was a learning experience. It was my first time as a head coach to fight in the nationals. I took it as motivation to work harder and motivate the kids to practice more and play hard. It was a long process of building the team,” shared Bucao.
“Now, I feel like we finally gained revenge for UV. I really took it seriously and I am thankful to the kids because they responded well to the system and to my instructions.” Bucao added that this national title is their way of saying thanks to the school’s management, especially team manager and Talisay City Mayor, Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas.
“The support that we received from UV management, the parents and the entire UV community was very overwhelming. The national title is our way of thanking them,” Bucao said. (SunStar Cebu)