28/11/2024
"Dรฉjร vu" which translates in French to โalready seen,โ is a transitory sensation of having already lived a totally identical situation at some point in the past. The similarities of our Rookie 2019 Season and the recently concluded 2024 Season are uncanny.
โ๏ธ Face the strong Fuerza in the semis.
โ๏ธ Battle a hungry pack of Wolves in the Finals.
โ๏ธ Lose Game 1 of the Finals.
โ๏ธ Force Game 3.
โ๏ธ Overtime.
โ๏ธ Clutch Cris Galacio.
โ๏ธ Championship.
The same but not exactly.
The challenges this team faced during this grueling season were different compared to our previous championship year. Conditioning, one of the most difficult issues our batch had to struggle. Several players were not fit going into the season and only got into basketball shape towards the end of the year. Which showed in our sub-par regular season standing of 4 wins and 5 losses.
Our batch also at times struggled in fielding the required number of players in each game. The team resorting to ask several players based outside Cagayan de Oro to play at certain times during the season. In fact only fielding 13 players during Game 3 of the finals with our top scorer and playmaker, Alfredo Mutia Cuarteros Conol missing the pivotal game.
These together with other group and personal issues the team had to overcome this year has made this championship sweeter.
Our batch takes pride in its mental fortitude and championship mettle in overcoming all challenges. But all of these accomplishment would not be possible without a lot of help.
First of all, we would like to thank the Almighty Father in guiding and sustaining us throughout the year and eventual blessing us with a toughly fought title.
To our bracket: 2005 Kings, 2006 Fuerza de Sais, 2008 Lancers and most especially to 2007 Wolves, thank you for a fun and enjoyable season of ABL Basketball. It was a pleasure in facing the 2007 Wolves once again in the finals, you pushed us to the brink again this year and we look forward in more exciting encounters in the future.
We would also like take this opportunity to thank our team sponsors for this season: Mayor Engr. Dann Isaiah D Lusterio of Binuangan, Misamis Oriental, Mayor Fahad D. Molok of Maguing, Lanao del Sur, DKT Construction Corp. of Bossing Engr. Jim Telow, Hugo Skye OPC-Arcana Development Corp. team of Atty. Candy A. Unabia, Mayor Aaron Paul S. Unabia, Mr. Arfel Nikolaus Villanueva, CPA and Atty. Steve Marc B. Lagapa, KQ Caps by Mr. Karl Quizon, CPA, Volco Magbanua, and Francis Josef Salmo.
We would also like to thank our league sponsors: Our leagues Co-Presentor this year FLIQ Athletics, who supplied both sets of our jersey, warmers and championship shirts, to L.A. Dental Studio, whom our championship trophy is named after, to Powerhouse Studios, who televised the whole season and provided excellent coverage throughout the whole year and to all other sponsors of the league who contributed to the success of the league. Thank you for your support.
We would also like to thank our Head Coach, Coach Jaime โDidingโ Rivera, who has guided us for two years and fully implemented his system into our team. Thank you, Coach, for the leadership and support throughout the past year, we could not have won without you.
To Coach Rusty Lu and Coach Yuvin Dablio, who had to fill in during games 2 and 3 of the finals, thank you for your contributions during the most important games of the season. Your efforts will be forever appreciated.
We would also like to acknowledge several of our players who made an effort during different times of the season to come home and play for the team: Yano Panunce and Kenn Adayo, both Metro Manila based batchmates who spent a lot of their time and resources to come home during the season and play all three games in the finals. Dexter Halibas, who had to travel from Cebu to play. Vinson Cruz who is now assigned in Iligan. Yan-yan Tancongco who came home from the UK to play during the regular season. Lastly, to Francis Casey Alcantara, who is currently busy playing as a professional tennis player found time to play with his beloved batchmates during the year. Thank you for all your time and efforts.
To our players based here in Cagayan de Oro, thank you for giving your time during practices and giving your all during the games.
Lastly, we would like to thank the Muskecheers! The wives, girlfriends, partners, and our other batchmates who cheered for us during the games. Your presence and support was instrumental to our success. We likewise thank you for supporting the team by allowing your partners to join the practice and play the games.
In embracing the words of the great Nick Saban, โOne thing about championship teams is that they're resilient. No matter what is thrown at them, no matter how deep the hole, they find a way to bounce back and overcome adversity.โ. Indeed, this season truly manifested the character of a championship team within the Musketeers. Despite the many adversities, one mantra remained to be ingrained in our system โ One for all, All for one!
