THE UNIVERSITY of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars are gearing up to take on the big boys in the 3rd Xiamen International University Basketball Tournament on Oct. 31 to November 4 in Xiamen, China.
The Cesafi third-placers have been putting in the work since the end of the season to combat some of the best collegiate squads from all over the world.
With no more classes for now, reigning Cesafi MVP Jaybie Mantilla said that he and his squad are locked in during every practice session, to prepare themselves for the battles that lie ahead.
“We’ve been practicing hard every day and since we don’t have classes anymore, we can also get in some rest. We’re really just focusing on the game plan that coach has prepared for us,” said Mantilla, the first Jaguar to win MVP honors in the Cesafi.
Mantilla added that they are bracing themselves to still compete in spite of the expected height and heft disadvantage.
“We’re really expecting our opponents to be huge! But still, we’re motivated to compete especially since we’re not just representing our school but the entire country as well.”
To counter the disparity in height, wingman Tricky Peromingan shared that assistant coach Bong Pineda has been drilling them hard to be more agile and quick.
“Coach Bong has been killing us in every practice. We’re focusing more on strength and agility. We want our trapping defense to be solid because we believe that’s what can make us win in China,” said Peromingan.
But more than the overseas trip, Mantilla and Peromingan confided that it’s the once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the country that excites them the most.