With hardwork and dedication, Blazer point guard Ray Carlos, most commonly known as “Prince,” is already making a name for himself in basketball. Under his name, he bagged awards in De La Salle-Santiago Zobel (DLSZ) and continues to thrive in Benilde where he is currently taking up Human Resource Management.
Rookie years
At five, Carlos’ interest in basketball sparked when his dad influenced him in the sport. He enrolled young Prince in sports clinics like Milo Best and Grassroots in Zobel. Since then, he pursued the sport and became a varsity player in school.
After he bagged Athlete of the Year, Most Outstanding Player, and Most Valuable Player, alongside winning championships for Zobel, Carlos continued to play for the green and white. He joined the Blazers under Coach TY Tang in Season 94 where he immediately won an individual title as Hanes King of the Hard Court. As a rookie, he admitted that collegiate basketball was different from high school.
“Compared kasi kapag high school, ibang level na kapag college. So, when I first practiced sa team, I knew from the start [that] I had to get bigger and stronger,” Carlos stated in an interview with The Benildean.
Despite the struggles and adjustments, Carlos mentioned that his seniors especially Yankie Haruna, Clement Leutcheu, Edward Dixon, and Carlo Young warmly welcomed him in the team, which made his career easier and adaptable for him.
Season 94 concussion
After being hospitalized and confined due to an elbow hit in the head by San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Stags’ Allyn Bulanadi, Carlos suffered from dizziness, incessant vomiting, and concussions that did not allow him to play for one game in Season 94.
“Medyo nawala ako sa shape ‘cause wala akong training [for] a week siguro ‘yun. I had to watch my teammates play lang, hindi ako nakakatulong. But, once pinayagan na ako mag-training [at] maglaro ng basketball, sobrang double effort talaga ako to get back ‘cause I think that was the crucial part of the season [dahil] patapos na [ang] season. I had to get back as soon as possible talaga. Double effort talaga ako sa training and sa workout,” he shared.
Despite missing a game for the Blazers, he played for 12.5 minutes per game with an average of 4.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in his first season in Benilde.
On Season 96
Although basketball is one of the four events confirmed to be played for Season 96, Carlos sympathized with his fellow student-athletes who will not be playing for the next season due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“Syempre nakakalungkot, especially sa mga teams [o] sport na hindi kasali next season. That’s unfortunate for them ‘cause for sure, they’re all looking forward [to] the next season. They have been sacrificing, they’ve been working hard for that [Season 96] tapos mawawala lang pala ‘yung season. Nararamdaman ko talaga ‘yung pain nila but sana hindi mawala yung motivation nila to keep on grinding [and] to keep on getting better because hindi natin alam kung kailan [magiging maayos yung sitwasyon] so kailangan palagi silang handa,” he said.
He added that crowdless games for the next season might affect some players but emphasized that, “If you really [want to] win talaga, parang it shouldn’t matter. As much as we want the crowd, our supporters, to watch our game, it's for their safety na rin ‘cause you’re in this pandemic, kailangan [ang] priority talaga is our safety. But that shouldn’t stop us from winning games, doing our best, and making the Benildean [community] proud.”
Despite physical restrictions, Carlos and his teammates still train the weekly workouts their coaches provide them. Through isolated training, their coaches can ensure that they are still fit and prepared for the next season. Personally, Carlos also plays basketball from time to time in the court near his house.
Throughout his journey, Carlos conveyed his appreciation to the people who have supported him in his career.
“I’m really grateful to have [my supporters to] motivate me to keep on working, to getting better everyday and hopefully, you continue to support me ‘[til] then—me and my team,” he stated.
Despite his struggles as a student-athlete, he shared inspiring words to aspiring and current student-athletes.
“Keep on grinding. Keep on working hard ‘til you achieve your goals and dreams. Work hard, pray harder. God is very generous. If he sees you’re really working for it, if he thinks you’re really working for it, he’ll give it to you. You just have to have faith in Him.”
