Wildcats of Dagupan City Qualifies for FIBA Asia 3×3 Championship

“To become champions today and in the future.” This is the ultimate dream of the newest champions of the recently concluded Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) National Pambansang Tatluhan at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Pasay City on June 9, 2016.

More popularly known as the “Wildcats” of Judge Jose De Venecia Memorial National High School (JJDVMNHS), the team will have the chance to play in the upcoming Federation of International Basketball (FIBA) Asia U-18 3×3 (Girls Category) Championship in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on July 20-24, 2016.

“For the first time in history, a provincial team coming from the public school will represent the country in an international competition in basketball,” SBP Regional Director Edilberto Abalos said.

The “Wildcats” team is composed of four grade school students: Kristine C. Cayabyab (Grade 9), Mary Ann C. Cayabyab and Cristel Mae A. Dizon (Grade 10), and Jennilyn N. Gamboa (Grade 11). The team won in the regional competition on April 27, 2016 at Divine Word Academy of Dagupan Gym over San Carlos City Division for the championship. Representing Dagupan City, the team won over Cebu City in the National Finals.

Named as the “Nike Rise Superstar”, Kristine Cayabyab took center stage as the only girl in the final 12 and the luckiest who made the famous high five to the three time NBA champ Lebron James during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ “Rise Beyond Belief” tour in the Philippines last year, August 20, 2015.

“Pure determination, hard work and discipline are the foundations of success which made the team CHAMPION,” Mr. Jethru S. Yao stressed. Mr. Yao is the coach and trainer of the Wildcats, and also in Palarong Pambansa 2012 and 2016.

The SBP Pambansang Tatluhan (National Three-by-Three) is a 3×3 basketball tournament catered for basketball players aged 16 below launched in 2016. The grassroots tournament is organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the national sports association for basketball. The tournament started with the regional qualifiers, where 584 teams across the country participated.

DepEd ensured full support for the whole team and commended JJDVSMNHS, which is now a technical vocational secondary school for having incomparable love in the said sport thus producing potential basketball players in the girls division.