FIRST TOURNEY WITH EAC BRIGADIERS: A good learning experience for Cebuano cager Gestur Canonigo

CEBU, Philippines — Wearing the uniform of the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Brigadiers for the first time in a highly competitive tournament was a beautiful learning experience for Cebuano basketball player Gestur Lorenz Canonigo.

The Brigadiers were among the five teams that competed in the United Basketball League (UBL) 19 Under School Based Tournament recently at the Systems Plus Computer College (SPCC) gym in Caloocan City.

The other contenders include the Arellano University Braves, La Salle Greenhills Greenies, Letran Squires, and the University of the East Junior Warriors.

Canonigo and the Brigadiers made it to the championship but lost to the Letran Squires in the gold-medal match.

Though playing with limited minutes, Canonigo was very thankful to their head coach Noy Catalan for giving him the opportunity to strut his wares on the bigger stage.

"I take every game as a learning experience for me to improve as a rookie with no experience in the brand of basketball in Manila," said the 16-year-old Canonigo. "I have to contribute more to the team as a role player especially on the defensive end."

Canonigo, a proud product of the University of San Carlos (USC) SBP/Passerelle team under the guidance of coach Galimar Largo, gamely admitted that he still have a lot of things to grind on as the Brigadiers brace for a much tougher challenge in the next season of the NCAA juniors division.

"I have to work harder and exert extra effort for me to become a better player because it's a completely different thing here in Manila. If you're a newcomer in the team, you have to absorb and immerse yourself with the system," Canonigo continued.

"I know it will take time that's why I need more patience, hard work, commitment, and above all prayers, in everything I do to accomplish my goals someday,"Canonigo ended.