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“Bago po kami pumasok sa court, nagdarasal muna kami.”
For the young cagers of Sta. Lucia Academy, every game in the Region 1 Athletic Association Meet 3x3 basketball tournament began not with the bounce of the ball, but with a prayer.
Heads bowed and hearts steady, they turned to Saint Lucy, the patron saint of their town, asking for “clear eyes”—not just to see the ring, but to make the right decisions in the heat of the game.
“Humihingi po kami ng malinaw na mata—para sa tamang tira at tamang galaw,” shared team captain Christian F. Solis, a graduating Grade 12 student from Angkileng, Sta. Lucia.
And through every pass, every cut, and every shot, that clarity showed.
Against taller, more physically imposing teams—particularly the favored squad from Dagupan City—the boys quietly carried the weight of being underestimated. Many thought their journey would end early. But the team had something more powerful than height: discipline, chemistry, and unwavering belief.
Game after game, they proved their worth—not just by winning, but by dominating.
They finished the tournament with a perfect record—no losses, a feat that spoke volumes of their preparation and resolve.
Leading the squad was team captain Christian F. Solis, whose calm leadership anchored the team in crucial moments. Alongside him was Bryle Gabrielle G. Laparejo, also Grade 12, from Parioc Segundo, Candon, who dreams of becoming a seaman someday—sailing far beyond the shores of Ilocos while carrying with him the same determination he showed on the court.
Completing the team were Grade 11 standouts Marvin H. Piamonte of Barangobong and Rayne G. Bambilla of San Juan—each bringing grit, hustle, and heart into every game.
They are not just athletes—they are kabataan mula sa barrio na may pangarap.
Behind their success is their dedicated coach, Sir Rowel Fabro Buelba Jr., who molded them into a disciplined and cohesive unit. With his guidance, the team learned that victory is not just about talent, but about trust, sacrifice, and teamwork.
“Teamwork po talaga ang naging sandigan namin. Walang bibitaw,” they shared.
Off the court, they are students with dreams beyond basketball. While some aspire to become engineers, others, like Bryle, dream of navigating the seas as future seafarers.
“Gusto po naming makatulong sa pamilya namin. Basketball po ang naging daan para mas makilala kami at maabot ang pangarap namin,” said Bryle Gabrielle G. Laparejo.
Their journey was not easy. Coming from humble beginnings, they balanced academics, training, and personal struggles. Yet, they never lost sight of their goals.
And when the final buzzer sounded, it marked more than just a championship—it marked the triumph of faith, perseverance, and the quiet strength of boys who dared to dream.
As they step onto a bigger stage in the Palarong Pambansa, they carry with them the same whispered prayer to Saint Lucy—for clarity, courage, and strength.
Undefeated throughout the tournament, the boys of Sta. Lucia Academy, Inc. proved that heart can outplay height. Once seen as underdogs against taller teams like Dagupan City, they rose above doubt and delivered a flawless run—no losses, no surrender.
With gratitude, they lift this victory to Saint Lucy, to their mentor Coach Rowel Jr., to their ever-supportive School Director Dr. Lysander H. Acosta and School Principal Saul Pythias F. Crisologo , and to the entire Sta. Lucia Academy, Inc. family who believed in them from the very start.
Because for these young athletes, victory was never just about the game. It was about faith that never wavered, dreams that never dimmed, and the belief that even boys from the barrio can rise, shine, and claim the future they have long envisioned.
via Lydia T. Liclican & R1AA Media Team
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