Delivering the killer blows down the stretch, St. Joseph Tech Voc Center’s Los Obreros clinched their first ever basketball title after beating Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion (CPC) Angels in a scintillating ODM School Wars finale, 77-64 in Roxas City Capiz.

Since the opening of its senior high school program in 2021, St. Joseph Tech Voc Center eyes to start its own school varsity team, in a hope to discover potential cagers who can play in competitive basketball.

With the eagerness to materialize its plan, St. Joseph officially collaborated with Phantom Elite Basketball club last August 1, giving birth to the “Los Obreros”.

After a month of preparation, the team decided to compete in ODM School Wars to gain experience and to get a glimpse of how it feels to compete in the Capiz basketball scene.

With the team composed of mostly inexperienced players, the Los Obreros managed to sweep the tournament, beating the former CAPRISA Champions CPC Angels, 77 – 64 in the championship game. More than proving its basketball prowess, the team also clinched the School’s first ever championship title.

Mentored by Head Coach Rolin Loyola, a former CPC Angels coach and Assistant Coach Paolo Loyola, the team, bannered by MVP Axl Jhay Tupas, was composed of Placer Alba Arricivita, Denmark Alba, Kyle Manguardia, Paolo Mendoza, Bernard Erl Coronado, Ken Christian Aringo, Chirstian Dave Flamiano, El Janmier Malan, John Vincent Amoroso, Joshua Fullo, Emanuel John Lacsao, Emmanuel Cabarles, John Reyd Arabacan, Mark Vincent Tianchon, Earl Patrick Delmo, Rj Cerjuano, Rex Febrada, and Cygie Brent Taba.

According to coach Rolin Loyola, the feeling was surreal as they never expected a championship since the team was composed with inexperienced players and one month of preparation is not enough to build a chemistry to win a championship.

“But the good thing is the team sacrificed a lot to win and we are on the same page to do what’s need to be done. This championship is the first of many, we brought the winning culture here in St. Joseph. Jobs not finished this is only the glimpse of what to come in the succeeding years. I would like to thank the Parents, St. Joseph community, Fr. Gybyn Gumban, Fr. Paul Henry Bocboc and Phantom Elite Management, PD Ace Azarcon for the support,” he added.IMT Sports