August 30, 2023
by Arbe Jay Polancos
A school is a place where a student is developed holistically. Be it physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. However, some students like to take it a whole step further by becoming student-athletes to represent their school. Like most tertiary schools in Davao, the Asian International School of Aeronautics and Technology (AISAT) has its own basketball team to contend with other schools in certain official leagues. They are aptly called the AISAT Aviators. Really fitting, right?
A team is nothing without the necessary people in the back operating in such a way that provides them all the support to win games. Their coach, Jay Marlon Pacada masterminds the team and the plays they are supposed to do in and out the court. He is backed by Mr. Sahid Ali Jr. as the assistant coach. Lastly, AISAT’s very own faculty and staff with the direction of Mr. Ronnel Mante as the sports head with the help of Mr. Jules Garay, Mr. Jetric Aranas, and Ms. Paula Cruz as the unsung heroes of every game.
This year, a new roster was put together since some of the old and previous varsity players have already graduated from college. The names of the players are as follows:
- Babdigan, Julhambri
- Batobalonos, Raphael
- Calumpang, Trunks Cyan
- Canullas, Nolinelclod Noah
- Cañedo, Yu Joshua
- Catao, Franz Conridge
- Delos Santos, Christian Jason
- Doromal, Jofferson
- Esdrelon, Wilfredo III
- Estribor, Jhon Kharl
- Faelanca, Levy
- Faune, Jerome
- Henson, Ronald Louies
- Lee, Marc Daniel
- Malalis, Janel Jaye
- Martin, Darryl Evan
- Pardilla, Timmy Brent Joshua
- Sualog, Jerald Francis
- Talaugon, Gil John
These players are also given the privilege to use the AISAT/Homitori fitness gym as part of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the team in coordination with AISAT and Homitori management and administration. They also train and practice once or twice a week. As of the time of this writing, they are set to face the Engineering department basketball team of Holy Cross of Davao College. Later next month, they will also be facing the varsity of the Philippine Academy of Sakya Davao, Inc.
Upon interview, Mr. Ronnel Mante, AISAT’s sports head and coordinator, said that they plan to join inter-school basketball leagues with the aim of winning and marketing the school at the same time to aspiring students who are interested in the field of aviation and technology.
It is also worth mentioning that these students are also scholars- meaning they enjoy discounts from their matriculation, be it tuition or miscellaneous fees. If you are a basketball player who dreams of playing for the AISAT Aviators, you just have to maintain an average passing grade of 85%, with no grade below 80% for every subject currently enrolled- which corresponds to a particular discount.
To conclude, AISAT’s new and fresh batch of basketball players is quite promising. The AISAT community is hoping that they can deliver what they promised- as they will always have the support of the institution, inside and outside the court. Let your dreams take flight!