Bigger than basketball.
For San Beda University rookie Dan Marcelo, his performance against Mapúa University on Thursday went beyond a breakthrough moment in the NCAA. It was a tribute to his late grandfather, Arturo, whose birthday gave the victory a deeper meaning.
The rookie guard delivered his finest performance yet in a Red Lions uniform. He finished with 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals to power San Beda to a 61-57 victory over the Cardinals in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Yet beyond the numbers and the crucial win, Marcelo had something far more personal to celebrate: the opportunity to honor the man who supported him long before his collegiate basketball journey brought him to the Philippines.
“I think today goes, by far, more than basketball for me. It’s my lolo’s birthday. It’s been, I think, nine years since the last time I saw him back in 2017. So, this was not just for the team or me, but just for making him proud,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of the occasion.
“I know he’s looking up above, not just me, but my whole family and my San Beda team, which is my other family. I don’t like to talk about being the best player and stuff like that, but today was just a very emotional day for me. This game was just bigger than basketball, and that’s to my lolo.”
For Marcelo, the victory was dedicated to a loved one whose influence has remained with him through the years, even as the distance and circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s passing made the loss especially difficult.
Marcelo was still in Grade 9 when his grandfather passed away at around 70 years old. Living in Canada at the time, he and his mother had to navigate the grief from afar.
Despite the time that has passed, Marcelo continues to draw inspiration from his grandfather’s unwavering support, particularly his simple desire to see his grandson enjoy whatever he chose to pursue.
“When it comes to basketball, he’s a big Ginebra fan; my whole family is. But with him, he just loves me having fun, and whether it’s me playing basketball or another sport, him knowing that I’m having fun doing it, he supports me 100-percent,” he recalled fondly.
That support has stayed with Marcelo through a journey defined by uncertainty and difficult decisions, alongside the courage to pursue his basketball dreams far from home.
“Back in 2022, COVID year for me, so I didn’t have anything going on, so I took that risk, that leap of faith to come out here,” he said.
“Trying out from school to school, bouncing from school to school, and I ended up at CEU. Had one good year and just looked to elevate my game, and I transferred, and now I’m here with San Beda.”
(C) PBA Images
Marcelo first made a name for himself as the “Lion Killer” in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, when he erupted for 31 points in Game 1 of the semifinals against San Beda while playing for Centro Escolar University.
He continued to establish himself in the UCAL, averaging 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during Season 5.
His impressive performances put him on the radar of several collegiate programs. Marcelo came close to joining San Beda’s bitter rivals, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, in Intramuros before ultimately deciding to bring his talents to Mendiola.
The road to the Red Lions, however, was anything but easy.
“I came from a very rough start in my journey in CEU, and just all the work outside the cameras, outside of the big stage,” he shared.
Now, with Jimmy Reyes sidelined while recovering from an injury, Marcelo has stepped up to help fill the void, making the most of his opportunity to contribute to San Beda’s campaign.
Still, the rookie is quick to credit the Red Lions’ culture and coaching staff for creating an environment where players can thrive regardless of their roles.
“When we talk about depth, that goes to our coaching staff, Boss Jude (Roque) and Boss MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan), for just being able to recruit guys that they know can fit well in our system,” the 5-foot-11 Filipino-Canadian guard added.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re starting or if you’re coming off the bench, just giving your 100-percent on the court and being able to not be selfish about it and just doing what the team needs from you.”
For Marcelo, his emergence is a reflection of the hard work that brought him from Canada to the Philippine collegiate basketball scene, as well as the people who helped him along the way.
The journey from uncertainty to finding a home in San Beda has given him plenty of reasons to be proud. But on a night that coincided with his grandfather’s birthday, the rookie’s standout performance carried a significance that no statistic could capture.
It was a reminder of how far he had come, the sacrifices he had made, and the person he continues to carry with him every time he steps onto the court.
And as Marcelo looks ahead to what he hopes to accomplish with the Red Lions, he knows that his journey is about more than individual success.
“Me, a couple of years ago, would just be very proud of this, where I am now, and what I still wanna accomplish, just not for myself, but also for the team.”
