Reignite the Blaze

Another year, another losing season and another final four non-appearance for the College of St. Benilde Blazers. The worst part, we're getting used to it.

I was there when we won our first and only men's basketball championship. I remember sitting up in the stands, my heart pounding inside my chest. With every Sunday Salvacion basket, every Al Magpayo rebound and every Titus Mendoza hustle play, one side of Rizal Memorial stadium would erupt in utter delight. One side. All Benildeans. I remember the goosebumps on my arms as I sang the Alma Mater song. For one night, the other side of Taft Avenue was in euphoria. The Blazers appeared in the final four the next two seasons, reaching the finals in 2002 only to be defeated by San Sebastian. Since then, wins have been sporadic. Winning seasons and final four appearances, same as those goosebumps, have been non-existent. 

I admit, I haven't watched a single live game ever since. But I catch Blazer games on AKTV whenever I can. I check out team standings and box scores online. I may not be the perfect supporter but I try my best. And I'm proud of that fact. What I can't stand is seeing rows and rows of empty seats wherever my beloved Blazers play. Maybe it's difficult to watch the games live, especially when the matches are held during school and office hours but if the fans from the other team can find ways to watch, maybe we should, as well. I should be there to shout at every call the referees miss. I should be there to heckle the opposing team's free throw attempts. I should be there to to scream my lungs out at every good play my Blazers make. I should be there. We all should be there. Everyone. 

I won't pretend to know the ins and outs of college basketball. Heck, I won't even pretend to know the ins and outs of writing (forgive the typos, if any). What I do know is that for a college sports team to be successful, it needs support. From the school officials to the students to the graduates to the groundskeepers, every little thing we contribute goes a long way.  We are all Benildeans. It also wouldn't hurt if we got a couple of blue chip players in our sights for future seasons. With only a couple of players graduating from this year's squad, adding two or three marquee ballers to our young nucleus could yield positive results. I suggest the CSB team officials scout early and often for prospects that can help the cause and once they're in the fold, take care of them and support them 100%. And stop letting DLSU get our LSGH boys (Ahem... Thomas Torres... Ahem!). Hehehe.  

We need more scoring. We need more defense. More importantly, we need more fans. And maybe, just maybe, those goosebumps would return.

Animo La Salle. Animo Benilde.