CONG SAMSAM GULLAS .(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Samsam Gullas vows to bring UV’s athletic program to new heights
There’s no doubt that the University of the Visayas (UV) has the most successful basketball program in Cebu.
Its collegiate team has ruled the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament 12 times out of the 16 seasons while its high school team won it seven times.
But UV Assistant Vice President for Finance and Administration Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas wants this same success for the school’s entire sports programs.
Gullas, also a representative for Cebu’s 1st District, said he plans to bring the UV’s athletic program to new heights and one way to achieve this is to give equal attention to other sports.
The team manager of the powerhouse UV basketball squad since 2008, Gullas has took over the reins of the school’s entire sports program. With the help of his most trusted lieutenants, DJ Villanueva, Alf Abregana and long-time athletic director Chris Mejarito, he hopes to be able to accomplish his new mission.
“I thought it was time that me and my personal team have to be hands on with the day-to-day operations of the athletic program,” said Gullas in an interview with Cebu Daily News. “Other sports were not being given the amount of importance and attention that they should have gotten.”
40-man dormitory
Gullas said he wants to raise the profile of the school’s numerous athletes competing in other sports by providing them with everything they need.
“We take pride in our basketball program, but we want to give equal attention to everyone,” said Gullas.
He disclosed what would be his most prized project for the athletes: a proposal to build a 40-man dormitory made for them.
“We’re trying to improve UV’s system and the first thing that we’re doing is building a dormitory so that other sports can recruit,” shared Gullas.
The proposed dormitory seeks to attain an even grander goal for the student-athletes of the school, said Gullas.
“We want to monitor the students especially with their attendance in classes. I have been very strict with grades. Even if you are a rookie-MVP and we could lose three to four titles after, that isn’t the priority for me because there is life after basketball. Basically we want to keep a close eye on the student-athletes especially when it comes to their academic work.”
And Gullas asserted that this sudden boost in the arm for UV’s athletic program isn’t just a one-shot deal.
“It should be sustainable and it will always be improving each and every year,” he added.
‘Best athletes possible’
To give his athletes a better perspective of what the school’s history is, Gullas also plans to establish a museum that would highlight alumni that have excelled not just in sports but in other aspects of life, be it business, politics, etc.
“Sometimes, the players don’t know the history of the school and when they are made to understand that wearing a Lancer uniform comes with a lot of responsibility, that is one way to improve how they go about representing our team colors,” explained Gullas.
At the end of the day, Gullas emphasized that excellence in sports is but one ingredient in the pot of life, where a proper education is the main course and something that he hopes to help impart upon these young men and women under his wing.
“We want to make the best athletes possible. We want to attain championships in every sport but looking forward, we cannot make championships to be the highlights of their lives. We want them to look back and feel with pride that UV was able to help them get a proper education to succeed in life and not just in sports. A proper education is the best thing that we can give. Getting them to the next level, whether it’s the D-League or the PBA or some other league, is just a bonus,” proudly beamed Gullas.