The Meteoric Rise of BCP Kalasag

It was a road no one dared to travel, but a collegiate team from Novaliches was brave enough to walk through it. It was hard; it was full of challenges. Doubts linger for some watchers, but the team did not wither, and instead they pushed through.

The management and the school officials, along with its sponsors, believed in the team, and their support was enough for the squad, which was led by Coach Jerich Felipe, along with his staff. were motivated to turn things around and bring honor to the school.

Defeats came, but they still believed.

 Sweat and tears fall down, but they persevere.

 Knowing that the sacrifices and faith in the Lord will repay them soon.

That soon came in five years.

Five years since joining the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA), the Bestlink College of the Philippines Kalasag finally struck gold as the team made it to its first-ever final series. To some, reaching the finals of a tournament is already enough, but to BCP, it was not. They had ambitious aspirations, and now they are in the finals. They continued to dream and believe in their ability. That belief soon turned to reality as they slew the dragon that reigned supreme in the league for the past three years.

The ICC Blue Hawks were the three-peat champions, and they were going for their fourth straight title.

However, BCP Kalasag came ready as they took the critical Game 1 win. In Game 2, BCP were possessions away from realizing their dream; however, ICC were steadier down the stretch, forcing a sudden death match. In the do-or-die game, it looked like BCP's dream would turn into a nightmare as the three-time champs showed their experience and took the lead at 66-59 with 2:14 in the 4th period after a three-pointer from Paul Lopez. However, Coach Felipe turned to his key players in Lebron Quirog, Andrex Magno, and Errol Roxas to launch a comeback and force overtime. In the extra session, neither team refused to fold up, and it took BCP everything they got with Mythical Five member Victor Nuarin scoring to finally take a 2-point lead at 80-78.

With time ticking down, ICC went for the kill as CJ Torres took a three-pointer; however, his shot missed, but ICC had one more chance as Noy Arimado was able to get the ball and launch a follow-up at the buzzer. As the ball flew in the air, seconds proved to be slower as the past heartaches seemed to be returning to the eyes of the BCP's supporters, but reality suddenly pushed them back as the ball bounced off the rim.

Then the buzzer sounded. BCP Kalasag finally did it. The crown was theirs to take home.

They finally slayed the ghost of the past heartaches, and now they can call themselves CHAMPIONS!

Quirog, who was later adjudged as the Finals MVP, said in a postgame interview that despite being down by 15 points in the 2nd half, "Nagtiwala lang kami sa mga coaches namin and sa mga sarili namin. Sobrang layo na narating namin para sumuko ng ganun-ganun lang."

Coach Felipe, who was lost for words momentarily after the final buzzer, could not help but thank the Lord for the blessing and even shared the Bible verse that the team had prior to the game, which was Joshua 1:9, that gave them the courage to play tough in the rubber match.

But being the champions of the NCRAA doesn't mean that BCP can finally rest on their laurels. The grind continues for Coach Jerich and the boys as they keep on striving hard and prove themselves worthy to be called one of the best in Philippine collegiate basketball.

The journey has pushed them to another challenge, and this time it's against equally talented collegiate teams in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup Season 5.

"Tomorrow" has finally arrived to the BCP Kalasag, and they will never get tired of dreaming and achieving because as long as they have faith, it will bring them more success.