Intramurals is one of the most awaited events that an educational institution could ever hold. This is not only a competition between students, year levels, and courses. Rather, this is a celebration of skills and talents in the different fields of sports and this, too, is an opportunity for the students to show what they can do beyond the classrooms. Saint Theresa’s College- Cebu (STC) annually celebrates its intramurals as Pakiglambigit, a Bisaya word which means “to interact”. The Theresians continues to amaze both parents and visitors from other schools each year.

 

STC’s Pakiglambigit includes teams that range from the Grade School Department, the High School Department, the Senior High, and the College Department. A variety of sports that are played include Volleyball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Basketball, Soccer Baseball, Softball, Chess and Scrabble.  Each game has its own winner per department. However, the rankings for all the games are given points and added up to decide the Overall Champion in each department. For the College Department, the Pakiglambigit Overall Champion for 2017 and the past few years continues to be the Business and Accountancy (BAT) Team.

 

According to the Business organization president, Ariel Ebrada, the Business and Accountancy Team, or BAT, has been the reigning overall champions for 12-13 years now. What’s the secret behind their consecutive win? As Shana de Leon, a fresh Accountancy graduate of batch 2016 and a player of the BAT team for four years, says it is all summed up in one word: trust.

 

As an alumna, de Leon has only been a supportive audience at the sides for this year’s Pakiglambigit. However, that did not stop her from wanting the best for her team. She states that “champion teams in all types of sports are tested every Intramurals to see if they are still the best and I can truly say that BAT was really tested this year.”

 

De Leon adds that “What makes a player or good athlete is being able to trust yourself and to give your best in every practice and in every game… What makes a team win is their trust and support in each other until the very end.”

 

Kris Lariosa, currently a fourth year Entrepreneurial Management student and a player for the BAT team, supports this thought as she states that “teamwork is the ultimate goal. The ability to work together towards a common vision.”

 

Lariosa is a returnee, after focusing on work for two years, and has been a player for the BAT team for five years now. Some players may have already graduated and roles may have changed per game, but the entire team itself has remained strong together.

 

Lariosa adds that “Working together with my team is the true success. We're all committed to support each other whether we win or lose. We may have lost some of the games but the good thing about it is that, we didn't give up.”

 

The road to championship is never easy, and Ruby Tejano, a fifth year Accountancy student and a player of the BAT team for five years now, supports this thought. Despite the classes and how busy school may get, she always made time to attend practices.

 

Tejano says that “The feeling that I get from the day-to-day practices couldn’t be replaced. That feeling when you properly throw and catch a ball and, when it comes to fielding, you properly guarded the bases- it’s honestly the best indirect compliment that you can give to yourself.”

 

Tejano states that being surrounded by people who help you grow not just as an athlete but also as the best person you can be is one of the factors that contribute to a team’s overall success.

 

“During the actual games, though there’s only a tiny chance of winning and even though I easily panic due to the pressure of the games, there were people who motivated me- especially my teammates- and people who also believed in our capacities.” Tejano adds.

 

Champions are known to be the teams who surpass rivals in competitions. However, champions are not only those who conquer games. Rather, they are those who can conquer their own selves as individuals. When each player of a team has learned to conquer one’s own fears and limitation, a team full of self-winners will truly help each other reach the top together. Trust and passion are two of the main factors as to why BAT has been able to consecutively keep the title as reigning Overall Champions.

 

According to De Leon, “It’s all about how much a team is driven to keep the title and about the will power they have in themselves to go for gold. I applaud teams who kept their championship titles and I applaud those teams who gave everything to win the medal. All in all, it’s just about playing a good game.”

 

The BAT team may have lost some of their games in other sports, but this did not hinder them from still aiming for the title they own. Lariosa says that “Losing is part of the game. If you never lose, you are never truly tested and never forced to grow. We've accepted every defeat with a gracious mind and accepted every victory with a humble heart. At least, we all did a great job, gave our best during the game and the most important thing is that, everyone was having fun while playing.” Teamwork and support are also key ingredients when it comes to the success of a team as a whole, and Tejano clearly states that “there's this term we call the BAT Spirit.  It means: A mind that creates, a heart that cares, a will that excels, and a team that serves. Every intramurals, we always strive to live out this passion. And I think that is the main reason why we were able to still attain this title.”