CAGAYAN de Oro’ s STI College, formerly known as Systems Technology Institute, is set to leave for Davao to represent Northern Mindanao in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Mindanao Finals on February 3 to 5.
The STI Olympians of coach Edgardo “Boy” Dacoco and team manager Mario Malferrari Jr. made it to the Mindanao stage of the Champions League after a nail-biting 96-95 victory over Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC) of Iligan City during the HNH-PCCL qualifying tourney in Cagayan de Oro City.
During the regional qualifier, the Tagoloan Community College (TCC) of coach Dave Ociones and Tagoloan sports czar Van Halen Parmis defeated FSUU Urios University of Butuan, 83-76 to settle for the third place honor.
“We’ll be going to Davao City not much worrying of our chances to win but for everyone’s safety on health matters. Until now, gapangita pa mi’ g face masks kay hurot-hurot na,” said coach Dacoco in jest, fully aware of the wide-spread threat of coronavirus.
The STI Olympians, inspired by the return of the talented Menaling brothers (Jhunry and Jerome) in their frontline, will have two matches today (Monday) that their veteran coach is hoping his key players could show up in good condition.
“Naay tulo nako na medyo sickly so, medyo balaka ta gamay especially nga nakasulod na ang China virus sa atong nasod. Kombate lang gihapon kay naa naman ta dire. We’re still in fighting mood,” Dacoco told SunStar Cagayan de Oro.
Big man Marbel Rene Dave Jadap, forwards April Jun Pacana and John Carl Cabuga and guard Charles Blaize Babia were also instrumental in the STI Olympians’ return to the PCCL Mindanao Finals after four-long years in doldrums.
Completing the cast are Ralph Michael Namocatcat, Vince Juvan Galicia, Niño Marc Arcay, Neilson Egcalinos, Grant AJ Santillan, Norhasan Abas, Nestle Jhon Ruiz, Dennis Sapa and Daniel Camarillo.
Whoever wins in the Mindanao league will be joined by the Visayas qualifiers for the PCCL Vis-Min League, which will also be played at the old Almendras gym of Davao in the following week.
Already, the STI Olympians made it twice to the Vis-Min Finals but have yet to qualify in the PCCL National Finals won by the Ateneo de Manila University over the University of the Visayas, 95-71, in 2019.