2025 CHAMPS! HCDC trailblazes in CEAP Mindanao Games 2025

With hearts full of pride and spirits driven by faith, Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) once again proved its excellence in sports after delivering an impressive performance in the CEAP Mindanao Games 2025 representing Davao Region, held from June 2-6 in General Santos City.

From day one, student-athletes from HCDC showed their skills, teamwork, and determination as they competed against other Catholic schools from across Mindanao, proudly bringing home medals and high placements, further solidifying HCDC’s reputation for athletic excellence.

Center for Wellness and Sports Excellence Head Pocholo Elegino shared the emotional journey behind HCDC’s victories.

“We always aspire to be on top of every tournament and aim to dominate,” he said. “Other schools and regions are trying to do the same, but we stayed disciplined throughout the competition. That discipline paved the way for us to capture gold.”

He attributed the team’s success to a focused mindset and rigorous preparation following their DACS competition.

“We put our heads down and started preparing for the regional meet, knowing we’d be up against top-caliber schools. Collaboration, persistence, and hard work were key.”

He described the win as a culmination of many emotions, saying, “We were overwhelmed with joy and happiness, a mixture of euphoria, excitement, and relief. The road leading to the tournament was stressful. But all the hard work and sacrifice really paid off. It was amazing.”

The following are the Cross Blazers who secured their success during their respective events:

3×3 Men’s Basketball – Champion (Coach – Pochollo Elegino)
Women’s Basketball – Champion (Coach – Gerald Amancio, Asst. Coach – Lady Claire Adorico)
Women’s Futsal – Champion (Coach – Florante Altivo, Asst. Coach – Manny Carlo Yu)
Men’s Football – Champion (Coach – Florante Altivo, Asst. Coach – Melchor Anzures)
Men’s Taekwondo – Silver Medalists (Coach – Lolito Antonio Pelaez)
3×3 Women’s Basketball – Bronze Medalist (Coach – Gerald Amancio)
Women’s Taekwondo – Bronze Medalist (Coach – Lolito Antonio Pelaez)
Sepak Takraw – Bronze Medalist (Coach – Resty Castillo)

Esports Event (Moderator – Louie Pelicano)
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – Champion
Valorant – Champion

Cultural Events
Mindanaoan Festival Dance – Champion (Moderator – Maricel Cayas)
Vocal Duet – Champion (Coach – Peter Ian Buaya)

Reflecting on the greater meaning of the school’s triumph, Elegino emphasized that this achievement symbolizes more than medals.

“I always remind our varsity teams that they are representing something bigger than themselves. It’s not just about individual talents and skills—it’s about dedication, collaboration, and teamwork. The name in front of our jersey matters. We represent HCDC and the values it stands for,” he said.

He also highlighted the invaluable role of institutional support, stating the essential roles played by coaches, faculty, and the administration.

“There’s no greater feeling than knowing you’re backed by hard working administrators who truly love the school,” he shared.

Looking forward, Elegino expressed hope that this victory marks a turning point for the future of sports at HCDC.

“This success boosts morale and shows the potential of our athletes when given the right support,” he stressed. “We want our athletes to see this as proof that with dedication, perseverance, and teamwork, they can achieve great things, both on and off the court.” He also hopes sports will become an even more integral and empowering part of HCDC’s community culture.

While the team rides the momentum of victory, Elegino is focused on building sustainable progress.

“We don’t want to pressure ourselves too much. We see this as a process we must endure every year. We want to use our recent success as motivation and aim for continuous improvement,” he stated.

The success of HCDC is more than just a celebration of athletic talent, it is a reflection of the school’s values, spirit, and unwavering commitment to excellence. With strong leadership, dedicated athletes, and a supportive community, HCDC continues to rise as a beacon of sportsmanship and integrity in Mindanao. As the journey continues, the Cross Blazers carry with them not only medals but a legacy of faith, discipline, and unity. (Razl EJ Teman, HCDC Cross Media Scholar)