CEBU, Philippines — It took them five years to accomplish a rare feat.
That made their three-peat extra special.
The Batch 1999 Barracudas basked in that moment of glory after they overwhelmed the 2000 Millennium Bugs, 72-63, to grab the Division 2 crown of the University of San Carlos-North Alumni Basketball Club (USC-NABC) “Last Dance”:Cong. Bingo “Bagtik” Matugas Cup at the USC-North Campus gym recently.
Personifying teamwork, Fritz Villamor unloaded 19 points, Joseph Chu Bragat and Mark Loyola chipped in 15 markers apiece, while Jeremy Deiparine added 14 points as the Barracudas crowned themselves as grandslam champions.
Prior to reigning supreme in the league’s comeback season, the 99ers were titleholders in the last two editions of the tournament in 2018 and 2019 before the global pandemic broke out.
“We offer this sa amo batch na bag-o lang nag-25th Silver anniversary reunion,” said team captain Christopher “Tope” Osorio.
“We were really aiming for this gyud even before the pandemic. We have dedicated our heart and mind para maka three-peat. And it feels good to relive the nostalgic feeling of being young and champ!”
For Bragat, the season Most Valuable Player, hard work is the key.
“Central to our success is our preparation as a team. Despite our very busy schedules, we made it a point to practice at least once a week,” Bragat shared.
The other members of the 99ers Barracudas are Jess Minoza, Vito Perez, Mark Abenido, Christian Anonat, Marc Malazarte, Homer Vargas, Allain Ortiz, Christopher Matig-a, Matt Ian Zanoria, Marlon Dy, Mark Capili, Mar Mantuhac, Ralph Ligtas, Ernest Rama, Paul Magadan, Daryl Gaviola, Michael Ogdoc, Michael Alcarde, Jason Villanueva, and Jetrink Ong.
“We hope that in the upcoming One Carolinian alumni basketball tournament, we can sustain our winning attitude. We plan to tap other players from South Campus who can help us achieve our dream for a four-peat,” Bragat added.