CEBU, Philippines — University of Cebu president Atty. Augusto “Gus” W. Go feels proud and happy of the UC Webmasters’ remarkable performance in the recently concluded 2022 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season.
During a courtesy call last Tuesday, December 20, Go personally conveyed his congratulations to the Webmasters led by head coach Atty. Kenneth Kernn Sesante for their first runner-up finish despite the team is composed mostly of rookie players.
Before attaining acertain measure of success, the Webmasters endured a long and meandering journey.
They won only two out of their first five games but bounced back with aplomb to even their record at 5-5 at the end of the double round elimination.
They then knocked out the twice-to-beat University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers in the Final Four to set up a best-of-three championship showdown with league giants University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.
After getting crushed in the series opener, the Webmasters put up a gallant stand in Game 2, even dragging the Lancers into overtime in a praiseworthy effort albeit on the losing end.
Nevertheless, making it the Finals for the first time since 2017 is a feat in itself for the Webmasters especially in the eyes of Atty. Go, their No.1 fan.
Aside from giving the UC players a pat on their backs, Atty. Go also adviced them to always maintain the alance between their pursuit of athletic excellence and their academic responsibilities.
Furthermore, he egged on every member of the team to finish their studies and be like coach Sesante, who was an epitome of a student-athlete during his heydays with UC.
Sesante, a standout point guard in his four years with the Webmasters while studying Customs Administration, went on to become a Board topnotcher, placing 2nd in the 2006 Customs Broker Licensure Exam. Four years later, he graduated from the UC College of Law with honors (cum laude) and was the class Salutatorian before becoming a full-fledged lawyer in 2012.
“Have a desire, discipline, perseverance, and be grateful. Kung gustohon gyud nimo ang usa butang, makaya gyud ni kab-oton basta disciplined ka in a sense nga daghan ka i-give up para makafocus ka sa imong goal,” Sesante shared in the UC Webmasters Facebook page. “Dapat magpursige ka and dili dali mo give up. Lastly, dapat mapasalamaton sa Ginoo nga healthy ka always para ma-pursue nimo imong goals.” — EBV