DMCI Basketball: A season of growth, grit and team spirit

DMCI’s basketball season has come to an end, and all of our teams have worked hard during this incredible season. We interviewed athletes from the JV and varsity teams to reflect on this year’s season.

Leahbelle T. from the Junior Varsity Girls reflected: “The thing I appreciate about my team the most this season is that regardless of our record and shortcomings, we were still able to find joy and share laughter even in times of difficulty. Ultimately, I think that they allowed me to improve and become a better leader too, as they helped me sustain composure and regulate any negative thoughts or emotions I may have had during the season.” 

As for the Varsity Girls, Yael C. has said that she’s proud of the growth of herself and her teammates. She said that they were all willing to grow and improve. At the beginning of the season, their biggest challenge was not feeling the chemistry between each other. Fortunately, they were able to overcome this issue by “setting our differences aside once we stepped on the court, pushed each other to work harder in practice, and holding each other accountable when needed.” Yael was able to keep a balance between school and her sport, since she believes that playing basketball is a stress reliever.

Junior Varsity Boys representative, Gabriel P., who mentioned that one of his biggest challenges this season was getting out of his own head and not performing at his best. He said that he was able to overcome it by using breathing techniques to reset and calm his body and mind. Overall, Gabriel is proud of the team winning second place at the Tec Voc tournament, and appreciated his team’s acceptance of mistakes. Next season, Gabriel aims to improve his shooting and confidence.

Kendal W. of the Varsity Boys team was proud to have gained confidence on the court and became a better floor general. Controlling emotions during games was a challenge, but with their coach’s guidance, he grew both as a player and person. Being able to balance school and sports was tough, but staying focused on his dreams was a huge motivator. Kendal valued the team’s welcoming, family-like environment and saw it as a key learning experience. Looking ahead, he aims to lead, improve, and help the team grow, saying that “no matter a win or loss, I want to be happy and enjoy the year.”

As the season has come to an end, it is clear that every team faced challenges, grew together, and pushed themselves to improve. Through a combination of hard work, resilience, and team spirit, these athletes have not only developed their skills but also created lasting memories. With new goals set for next year, the future of DMCI basketball looks bright!