The Center of Student Life (CSL) spearheaded the Benilde League basketball tournament on June 3, 9, and 15, showcasing the athletic capabilities and camaraderie of Benildeans at the Benilde Sports and Dormitory Complex.
“It has been a long tradition in the College. It’s usually organized by our student government until 2019, when the pandemic came. So we’re trying to revive it, that is why we initiated it, similar to the intramurals of our senior high school students and the sportsfest of our Benilde associates,” Mr. Levi Albania, CSL Dean, said in an interview with The Benildean.
Mr. Albania noted the event was made possible with the help of the Office of the Vice President for Student Mission Life, Center for Sports Development, and the School of Multidisciplinary Studies-Physical Education area.
A total of 21 registered teams from different Benilde schools were welcomed with a ceremonial introduction and opening remarks from Chancellor Benhur Ong. Some of the participating schools include such as the School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT), School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM), School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG), and School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS).
Benilde Blazers’ team captain, Robi Nayve, led the oath of sportsmanship, which was followed by an opening performance from the Benilde Blazers Pep Squad and the ceremonial jump ball, indicating the start of the games.
The competing teams were organized in a single elimination tournament format, eliminating teams with at least one loss. All elimination games were held during the first day of the tournament. Only eight teams remained during the second day of the Benilde League, with all teams hoping to earn a shot at the finals. The quarterfinal and semifinal games were played during the second day of the tournament, resulting in the last two remaining teams competing for the finals.
According to CSL, there were conflicts that occurred due to lapses in adherence to the league’s guidelines, resulting in an immediate semi-finals rematch during the final day of the tournament. A semi-finals rematch between teams BINUILD and BIGSKY BALLERS was set before the championship match on June 15. BIGSKY BALLERS won the semi-finals rematch, 61-52, giving them the championship game ticket.
The championship game between DRIPMOD and BIGSKY BALLERS immediately commenced after the semifinals. After an intense 40 minutes of basketball action, DRIPMOD emerged victorious and was hailed champions of this year’s Benilde League basketball tournament, defeating BIGSKY BALLERS, 60-56.
The awarding ceremony for the Benilde League basketball tournament is set to be announced at the start of the Benilde League volleyball tournament.
Further announcements regarding the volleyball tournament are set to be announced by the CSL in the future.
