To students and/or parents who’ve watched their children play in the Alaska cup, the name Hedcen is almost synonymous to football or soccer. That’s because for years, our school has dominated the game, rarely failing to get a place in the finals in every level every year.

This is the result of intensive efforts to focus only on one sport - the one which the school firmly believes gives Filipinos more chance of attaining international recognition than basketball - soccer. Yes, the school where I work at only has 1 sport (and no other) but the school owns it. Just ask all the other rival schools that has played against us.

I, unfortunately, grew up with a different game - basketball. And no matter how much I try to spread it’s appeal in school, my efforts always end in vain. But it’s not because the school does not allow it. It’s more because students do not fully appreciate the game - having been raised basically in just 1 sport.

Recently, however, Coach Juaqui, the head coach of the varsity team decided to engage in cross training to add some variety to the skills that the students have. Fortunately for me, his choice of sport to alternate with soccer is basketball. So now, after school, the varsity players head toward the subdivision’s covered court to play basketball.

The school provides the transportation to and from the court. The whole place is reserved so the varsity gets to enjoy the whole court without worries. And the best thing about it is that teachers are welcome to join! So now, after almost a year of not playing, I finally get to pass, dribble and shoot the basketball again! Woohoo!