Prince to defend 'One-On-One' title

MANILA, Philippine – College of St. Benilde’s youthful Prince Carlos will return to defend the Hanes One-On-One King of the Hardcourt title when the competition tips off in the second week of play in the ongoing Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.

Carlos defeated Letran’s Mark Taladua, 15-14, in the finals of the inaugural one-on-one tournament last season.

This season, players looking to knock Carlos (whose alternate is rookie Sidney Mosqueda) off his throne include Arellano University’s Justin Arana and Alfren Gayosa, CEU’s John Earl Lisbo, Letran’s King Policarpio, La Salle’s Francis Escandor and Jan Carl Luciano, FEU’s Cade Flores and Mike Casino, JRU’s Jarvy Ramos, Lyceum’s Rancy Remulla who competed in last year’s competition and Casper Pericas, Mapua’s Denniel Aguirre and Arvin Gamboa, NU’s John Galinato and Robert Minerva, San Beda’s Sean Lenard Garcia and Miguel Ratuiste, San Sebastian’s Rommel Calahat and Mario Emmanuel Bonleon, UP’s Joe Gomez De Liaño and CJ Catapusan, and UST’s Zach Huang and Sherwin Concepcion.

“Competing in last year’s Hanes One-On-One King of the Hardcourt really improved my game,” bared Carlos. “In high school at De La Salle Zobel, I was known more as a shooter. But in one-on-one, you cannot shoot all the time. You also have to attack that basket and rebound or else you will not get chances. That helped boost my confidence come the NCAA. So, I am looking forward to defend the title.”

Back in the 1980s, the one-on-one competition was introduced in collegiate play by the UAAP with UST’s Bennett Palad winning the inaugural tilt in the seniors division and Ateneo’s JV Gayoso taking home the trophy in the juniors bracket.

Palad, who works as tournament director for the Hanes competition in the ongoing Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup agreed with Carlos’ observations. “It is a good experience because it is just two players with a lot of people watching. The approach and attitude toward the one-on-one game helps you in your approach in the five-on-five game. It adds to your confidence.”

Carlos declined to say if he has any new tricks up his sleeve. “We’ll just see what we can do,” he said. “Last year, winning the Hanes competition gave me more confidence shooting the triple. This year, all I can say is I will do our best.”

The winner of the tournament will receive a cash prize of P20,000.