The air was thick with tension as the College of Engineering (COE) ASTEEGS men’s team stepped up for the final round of the Intramurals three-man darts championship. Their opponent, the College of Agriculture (COA) Reapers, was on a roll in their bracket. The stakes were high, but the real story went beyond the win. For the ASTEEGS’ captain, Cyrus Manriquez, this match was more than just a game; it was his shot at redemption.
Two years of heartbreak had haunted Manriquez. As a first-year, he faced defeat. Again, in his second year, he couldn’t bring home the darts title. Now, as a third-year engineering student and still the team captain, Manriquez carried the weight of their past failures on his shoulders. Yet, this time, they proved things would be different.
© Rayjie Carillo
"First year, na-failed ko. Second year, na-fail na pud ko. But now, as captain, nabawi namo. Nabalusan namo ang among mga pildi dati," shared Manriquez as his voice crackled, filled with a mix of joy and relief. It wasn’t just about personal redemption; it was about doing it for his team, the COE. "Dako kaayo akong pasalig sa akong team," he added, reflecting the unity and trust that had grown among the squad.
In the final bout, it was Manriquez who delivered the game-winning throw. The sound of the pin clocking the double 16 riverbed like a victory bell, ultimately symbolizing their victory. But he wasn’t alone. Backing him were his teammates, Froilan Delfin, Marco Uy, Audrian Viajedor, Gianni Giangan, and Rovic Esprela, with each one contributing to the team's overall performance throughout the tournament.
Despite the women's darts of ASTEEGS composed of Eunice Ayop, Rufa Impao, Cristine Alayon, Marian Mae Discartin, and Nia Sumagpao falling short to play in the finals, they worked behind the scenes, helping the men’s team prepare until their last battle, showcasing the squad’s strength lies not only in their star players but in the team’s collective spirit.
For Manriquez, this victory was personal. "Last year, I was a failure as a captain. Karon, nadaog jud mi. Dili lang ako, kun’di kami," he emphasized, referring to his teammates. It was not just a comeback for him but for the entire ASTEEGS community, which is a hard-fought, well-deserved triumph.
Amidst the overwhelming cheers inside the university gymnasium as the inaugural dance night competition begins, the COE darts team, who just finished their grueling three-man darts rally with their own cheers of victory filling the room, shows that their championship was more than just a title but it was a symbol of redemption, to be resilient despite the past failures.
The ASTEEGS have already set their sights in the doubles and singles category which are still played at the university gymnasium physical education rooms one and two, with the aspiration of taking a three-peat darts feat.
Comments