Every student-athlete dreams of delivering on the biggest of stages – say, the UAAP.
Rob Celiz achieved that feat at the early age of 16.
During the winner-take-all final of the inaugural UAAP Junior High School Basketball Tournament, the 5-foot-9 gunner single-handedly rallied National University Nazareth School from a 14-point deficit.
The team eventually knotted the game at 65-all with a minute remaining.
With 1.7 seconds left, JB Cagurungan took matters into his own hands, nailing a long fadeaway over Chester Tulabut to give FEU-Diliman the lead.
However, Celiz had other plans.
Off a timeout, the son of former Bulldog Robbi drilled a walk-off triple to give the Bullpups the crown.
It was a dream ending to the epic event.
“Yun yung mga dini-dream nila. Yung mga game-winning shots, especially in a championship,” said Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro.
“Wala akong masabi sa kanya. Talagang bibigay ko sa kanya yung final shot. Kahit alam kong nagkamali siya nung 26 seconds left, pero malaki yung tiwala ko sa kanya kaya binigay ko sa kanya yung final play.”
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
For Celiz, what made his heroics more worthwhile was gifting De Castro a championship.
In his first two years as head coach of the Bullpups, De Castro suffered heartbreaks at the hands of FEU-Diliman and Adamson at the senior high level.
That’s why when his shot went in, the first person Celiz looked for was his head coach.
“Masarap sa feeling dahil gusto ko talaga mag-champion na si Coach Kev.
“Nung pagka-shoot, siya yung una kong nakita, umiiyak. Talagang nakabawi ako sa kanya,” said Celiz, who was crowned as the Finals MVP.
Throughout the Bullpups’ campaign, it was Celiz, Mot Matias, and tournament MVP Shaun Lucido who carried the load for the team.
Now, they will get a chance to try out for the senior high team, hoping they can lead NUNS to end its championship drought.
“Actually, sasama na namin sila sa pool para meron silang opportunity,” said De Castro.
Celiz, for his part, will use this tournament as motivation to reach the next level.
“Mas pagtratrabahuan ko pa ito, lalo sa depensa. Pag-akyat ko sa next level, talagang pagtratrabahuan ko pa yung depensa ko,” said Celiz.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
