During the first seasons of Johnvic De Guzman’s NCAA career, there had always been someone better.
His first two years were dominated by the University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA Altas, while the following two years saw Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Howard Mojica reach the peak of his athletic powers. De Guzman could always bring the Blazers to the NCAA Final Four, but could never bring them to the championship.
Season 92 was De Guzman’s year. The six-foot-one open hitter was clearly the best player in the league, while his team, the most veteran-laden.
The road was rough, but he trekked it nonetheless.
After dropping their opening day match, the Blazers rattled off 10 straight wins en route to the Finals. Facing the team that eliminated them last season Perpetual, Saint Benilde opened the series with a straight-set triumph.
Determined — and as ironic as it sounds — the 23-year-old assured his collegiate career would end in Game Two.
“Hindi na namin papakawalan ‘to. Nakita namin na mas malakas ‘yung loob namin sa kanila. Kaya namin ‘to tapusin nang hindi sila nakakakuha ng set,” De Guzman claimed boldly after Game One.
It was not, however, a walk in the park.
Game Two turned into a classic, with the Blazers pushed into a 1-2 set deficit. What followed would define De Guzman’s career.
“Sinabi ko lang sa team namin na alam na namin ‘to. Ilang beses na kami nalagay sa posisyon na kailangan namin mag-produce. Ngayon, hindi na namin pwedeng pabayaan. Binuhos na lang talaga namin,” Saint Benilde’s skipper recalled.
The Blazers forced a fifth set with a tremendous fourth set effort. Perpetual had the decider in their hands as they led 13-8. But the Blazers had destiny and De Guzman on theirs.
Saint Benilde rallied back and forced a deuce. Tied at 16 and with the title hanging in the balance, De Guzman toed the service line.
“Ang nasa isip ko lang noon is amin na ‘to. Malaki ang tiwala ko sa teammates ko na hindi na namin ‘to papakawalan,” De Guzman reflected.
The team captain delivered his signature float serve, which coaxed an error from Perpetual.
Championship point, Saint Benilde.
“Inisip ko lang na kailangan ko ipasok. Dedepensa kami. ‘Yun na ‘yung pinakahihintay kong moment.”
De Guzman served. The Saint Benilde blockers negated a Perpetual hit. Isaah Arda delivered a cross-court kill.
The Blazers were finally champions — Johnvic De Guzman was finally a champion.
“Pinangako ko talaga sa team at sa sarili ko na kukunin namin ‘yung championship. Nag-commit kami lahat. Iba talaga ‘yung bonding namin ng team na ito,” said the open hitter.
De Guzman also walks away with his only NCAA MVP Award.
“Masaya ako. Pero alam ko namang makukuha ko lang ‘to kung nananalo kami. Kaya ako MVP kasi sinuportahan ako ng team, ng coaches, ng family ko, at ni God.”
De Guzman’s future is currently uncertain. He wants to play for the National Team, but also wants to continue with his acting career.
Whatever he chooses to do moving forward, De Guzman will eventually be one of the best at it.
