COLONIA (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
Two-time juniors MVP Jed Colonia talks about SHS-AdC’s recent title run
The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles found their joy just in time to make the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters blue.
This was the trite assessment of recently-named two-time high school MVP Jed Colonia of his Magis Eagles after they swept the Baby Webmasters in the best-of-three finals after not having won against the latter in their previous two meetings.
“The difference was our attitude going in to the finals. We were more positive and the team enjoyed playing the game and that was one big difference going in to the finals,” said Colonia, the 6-foot-2 one-time guard of the Batang Gilas.
The turnaround was an astounding one for Ateneo de Cebu, which had previously lost to UC, first in the elimination round, 55–62, and then again in the round-robin semis, 73–68.
But with the reins let loose, the Magis Eagles played free and completely annihilated the Baby Webmasters in a short and completely one-sided affair.
In the end, Colonia was once again named as the league’s best player, a feat that surprised him considering the team’s “strength in numbers” dynamic.
“I’m very happy. A bit shocked too because I didn’t expect that I would get the MVP award this season, but I’m still grateful and I would like to thank God, my parents, the coaches, medical team and especially my teammates for making the whole championship possible,” said an elated Colonia in a talk after their conquest.
Colonia, though, says he isn’t done yet as he seeks to add another title to the Magis Eagles’ growing collection next season.
However, he will have to defend the throne sans a number of key players as veteran players Travis Mantua, Renzo Calumpan, Jeremy Nacua and fellow Mythical Five member Eroll Pastor are set to graduate this school year.
Colonia says that he is up to the challenge of leading a squad that will still have a number of promising players led by left-handed big man Christian Manaytay.
“It will be a tough process, but I’m willing to step up and accept the challenge,” he said while also emphasizing the need to improve on his perimeter shooting and ball-handling skills.
“I’ve got a long way to go,” Colonia said.