If their play in the recently-concluded Cebu City Mayor’s Cup Invitational is any indication of what the future holds for the University of Cebu Webmasters, the rest of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) may need to take notice of this speedy, gritty and relentless squad.
Four years removed from the glory days of June Mar Fajardo, Brian Heruela and Edward Pao, the Webmasters hit rock-bottom last season when they set the league record for scoring by logging in just one point in a period, twice in a game versus the University of the Visayas Green Lancers.
That apparently was enough for team manager Atty. Baldomero Estenzo who’s cleaned house starting with the coaching staff. Sent packing from the squad was the longtime brain trust of Rhoel Gomez, Reggie Licanda and Calib Gawangon and in their stead are Joever Samonte, Danny Catingub and former player, Carlos Tabaquero.
The Webmasters also lost top scorer Jan Auditor to the mighty Southwestern University Cobras, while Bajong Roche, Johnny Sigasig and starting guard Junas Misa are no longer with the squad. But for all the steps backward the team has taken, the Webmasters appear to be ready to take giant strides forward this season with a mentality that goes beyond the basketball court.
“This isn’t just about basketball anymore. We want to teach these kids values and virtues that they can use long after their basketball careers,” said Estenzo.
“Obviously we want to win basketball games but we want to win it the right way, and with the right mentality,” the Cesafi pioneer added.
Leading the way is the most unlikely of players: promising rookie guard Darrell Shane Menina who showed flashes of offensive brilliance against the defenses geared towards stopping him.
During the Mayor’s Cup, Menina exploded with 38 points against Malaysia and burned the University of San Carlos Warriors for 28 points, 17 of which came in the final frame. Menina’s performance is a testament to the team’s cohesion and camaraderie which the coaches have worked on since December of last year.
“The team is slowly building its chemistry together. They’ve been playing well. We still have a long way to go but with the guidance of Atty. (Baldomero) Estenzo, I think we’ll surprise a lot of teams in the Cesafi,” stated Samonte.
Apart from Menina, the Webmasters also added NBTC Mythical Five member Joseph Mayol who comes from Cesafi juniors champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Jan Jabello, Marc Obado and Richmon Lapinid. They join holdovers Garciano Puerto, Windell Santander, Justine Dacalos, Edwin Villarta, Peter Paul Codilla, Melvin Butohan, skipper Clint Suelto and the returning Earl Montilla.