Legendary Mentors write new chapter, close book on Asteegs’ four-year streak CLASS DISMISSED!
IAN PAOLO VILLACENCIO
After hovering around the runner-up spots for the past three years, the College of Education (COED) Legendary Mentors finally climbed to the pinnacle, capturing their first-ever overall championship and snapping the four-year reign of the College of Engineering (COE) Asteegs in this year’s Intramurals.
The long-awaited triumph marked a new era for them, whose consistency in recent years finally paid off through teamwork, strategy, and unity, especially with their merger with the Senior High School department, this academic year.
For College of Education Students Organization (CESO) president Roger Lamoste, the victory was the fruit of years of near-misses and lessons.
“I believe it all happens for a reason, that three long years of being first runner-up made us champions today,” Lamoste said.
photo by Ashley Loyloy
The college president noted that the collaboration between COED and the Senior High School became the cornerstone of their success. He explained that where one side fell short, the other filled in, creating a synergy that powered their rise.
“Kung ano ‘yung kakulangan ng isa, pinunan ng isa,” Lamoste emphasized.
The merger, he added, didn’t just boost their numbers, but also it amplified their spirit, crediting their shared effort for overcoming previous weaknesses in academics and musical events.
“This victory belongs to both the Senior High School and the College of Education… Lahat ng kahinaan namin noon, napunan nila, and our strengths were brought to life even more,” the president addressed.
He urged future COED leaders to keep their
doors open to their constituents, in sustaining their reign next year.
“Hindi makakaya ng officers lang ang preparation for the Intramurals. Kailangan kasama ang constituents, let’s be open to them kung ano ang gusto nila, kung ano ang hinaing nila, pakinggan natin at bigyan ng solusyon kung paano natin matutugunan iyon,” Lamoste declared.
On the other hand, the dethroned but still formidable Asteegs from the College of Engineering finished as first runner-up with 911.5 points, just shy of the Legendary Mentors’ 981-point total.
Engineering Students Organization (ESO) president John Clyd Amancio expressed both gratitude and determination, acknowledging that while the team fell short of a fifth straight title, their spirit remains unbroken.
“Merong konti na sad sa result kasi we are aiming for our fifth championship, but we fell short. But rest assured that the College of Engineering for the next year will come back stronger and wiser sa aming preparations,” Amancio uttered.
The organization vowed to strengthen its groundwork for the next intramurals, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with faculty and administrators in building a more cohesive team.
“The College of Engineering will ensure that the preparation talaga is mag-coordinate na kami sa admin or with the help of the faculty, maging stronger ang aming relationship and gathering participants, and of course to nurture participants kahit malayo pa ang intramurals,” Amancio said.
The college student-leader boldly claimed that the college squad will be in the championship
conversations again in the future.
“The College of Engineering will rise again. We will lay back the trophy that’s supposed to be dapat nasa Kolehiyo ng mga Inhinyero,” Amancio justified.
As the confetti settled and the cheers faded, the scoreboard told a story of persistence finally rewarded.
The Legendary Mentors’ 981 points secured the championship, followed by the Asteegs’ 911.5 points and the College of Agriculture (COA) Reapers in third with 823 points.
Rounding out the top ranks were the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) Vanguards with 728.5 points, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) Vanguards with 627.5, and the College of
Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) Tycoons with 619.
The College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (CFAS) Anglers landed sixth with 570 points, followed by the Institute of Islamic, Arabic, and International Studies (IIAIS) Tribals, College of Nursing (CON) Healers, and the College of Law (COL) Jurists.
The Mentors’ success ultimately came down to perseverance, teamwork, and purpose rather than just points. Their tale demonstrated that enduring competitors may become champions with perseverance and teamwork.
And as CESO president Lamoste proudly declared, the Mentors’ first overall crown was the dawn of a new legacy, where legends were finally made.
DWELLED AND CONQUERED:
Legendary Mentors ended the 4-peat win of Asteegs
LESLIE
PAYONGAYONG, CATHYLENE BULADO
Echoes of cheers, a pounding heart, and years of hope—finally, the Intramurals crown finds its way home to the legendary mentors!
As they say, even the most patient hearts have their seasons of triumph. For the College of Education, this year’s Intramurals was their long-awaited sunrise after fifty-two years of almost. No longer cheering from the sidelines, of believing that maybe next year would be theirs. This time, that “next year” finally came.
For the first time in the history of the Mindanao State University-General Santos City, the College of Education— fondly known as the legendary mentors— lifted the championship trophy high, replacing the four-year streak of the College of Engineering. It was more than just a victory. It was a moment of decades of hope, countless uncelebrated efforts, and the silent resilience of a college that never stopped believing in the value of teaching, guiding, and inspiring—even when they weren’t the ones being cheered for.
“Finally, It’s our turn!”
In an interview, Roger Patriarca Lamoste, the College of Education Student Organization (CESO) President, shared the overwhelming emotions that rippled through their team.
“Actually, last night, we were already expecting it to happen,” he said, pausing as if to savor the weight of the moment. “But when we were finally awarded with a trophy, it hit differently—it finally felt real.”
The College of Education, now crowned as the overall champion, earned a total of 981 points, surpassing the defending champion, College of Engineering and Technology (ASTEG) by a margin of 911.5 points.
According to Lamoste, the victory wasn’t the work of a few—it was a collective triumph. The Senior High School and School of Graduate Studies’ officers, staff, and faculty who merged with the
college this year became the final piece of the puzzle.
“Before the semester started, we already knew we’d be collaborating with the Senior High School,” Lamoste shared. “During the planning, we included them in everything. We even held screening to ensure we had the best of our students.”
The blend of youthful energy and mentor wisdom, the College of Education found its winning formula.
“This victory belongs to everyone,” Lamoste added. “To our athletes, our dancers, our debaters, even those who prayed for us behind the scenes. After so many years, we finally brought it home.”
Crossing the checkered flag
Before the Legendary Mentors have acclaimed their victorious reign, an array of challenges must have been endured with unyielding determination. The past four long years were purely dominated by the Asteegs of the College of Engineering, being hailed as the Intramurals champions time and time again, unrivaled in their craft and spirit. Their triumphs were not merely a stroke of chance—rather, they were testaments of true grit and unwavering excellence that an Asteeg has.
For Engineering Students Organization (ESO) President John Clyd Amancio, an Asteeg’s win isn’t defined by trophies nor victories—but with the perseverance that catalyzed the college.
“For me, being an Asteeg champion isn’t just about being the best. It’s about becoming better. It’s about discipline, humility, and respect for the process.”
Year by year, Asteegs’ dignity ascends as they continuously emerge as winners, and with every victory, the weight of expectation grows heavier. Each game becomes more than just a competition as it turns into a legacy needed to be upheld, a tradition to protect, and a story to tell for over a span of years. The Asteegs’ reign is not built on glory alone, but on meticulous
discipline, grit, and the burning desire to prove why they are deemed the best in the past years. In MSU-Gensan where dedication meets purpose, the College of Engineering still stands tall— unstoppable, empowered, and dignified.
Concluding the hard-fought reign of the future engineers, Amancio recollected and left a message to Asteegs aiming to redeem their victory.
“Don’t chase perfection, chase progress. Carry the name “Asteeg,” wear it with pride, not just because of the wins we’ve had, but because of the fire that built them.”
Where One Legacy Ends, Another Begins
No challenge is hard enough to deter one’s will to rise. Lo and behold, after many years of waiting for the College of Education, their long-awaited triumph has finally been manifested. The fruits of perseverance reecho through this legacy, serving not only as a testament to skill but also to perseverance and dedication. Indeed, purpose and persistence work hand-in-hand to pay off in a victorious moment.
Asteegs’ reign passed through its destined checkered flag to start anew with a legendary legacy mentored with greatness. The honor has been passed, igniting within a new era of pride. With a revitalized stance, the College of Education now steps into its own, new legacy. Carried within the triumphant educators is a fresh start. As another chapter unfolds, the College of Education is now more than ready to bask in the sweet taste of glory—embodying the fruitful spirit of being Legendary Mentors. Now with relief and contentment in grasp, they stand still enough to look back on the battles and the dreams that lead them to their feats.
After all, victory is not merely handed in a silver platter—it is deeply earned in time, through persistence, and with passion.
THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL
When we fail, who do we blame?
ROME PIANA, DANIELLA DOCE
cartoon by LeBron
BREAKING NEWS:
No More 5-Peat for You! Legendary Mentors Snap ASTEEGS’ 5-Year Streak, Finally Claim Intrams Glory
Will you look at what the tide washed in? Sure, they aren’t Aunt Rosie and Tanya, but what could be more exciting than the Legendary Mentors clinching their first-ever championship in the best Intramurals in town?
This isn’t just a victory—this is the College of Education’s legacy in the making. IT’S HISTORY! After what felt like guessing who Sophie’s father is, the Legendary Mentors have, at long last, emerged as our new champions!
And the ASTEEGS? Well…let me guess. Ting!
NOTIFICATION: Iskong Gala, Iskang Pataka and 15 other people reacted to a post you shared: “13 Reasons Why COE lost…”
There they are! Either parking their McLaren MCL39 in BUHAY MSUAN, or fighting their own ghosts in MemeSU (with non-ASTEEGs watching or chiming in from the sidelines).
Ghosts, as in a bunch of mystical anons flooding these Facebook groups with certainly more than 13 posts, pointing fingers at whoever they can catch.
If only the online bardagulan saga among MSUans could end in a sumbagay—would that make things easier? NEWS FLASH: it won’t. It takes more than the fist to hush the noise— especially when it’s the almighty, invincible, and unidentifiable anon firing off snark like a veteran commentator.
Even before the final act, the audience already knew who’s winning and who was getting swept off the floor. While a grand news for the Legendary Mentors, for some ASTEEGS, this was more than a grim omen—it was a cue to execute their student council officers.
Lo and behold! The very flesh of the Engineering Students’ Organization doth now lie before thee, noble keyboard warriors, prepared to be seared and roasted!
Rolling their “13 Reasons Why COE Lost” like an
official decree, pointing out all the cracks in ESO’s leadership that ultimately led to their fallout from the Intramurals championship. Never mind that it’s expressly sarcastic and humorous—this could’ve gone down in history as a memorandum of recommendation, had it not been so unconstructive. But anon chose the other road at the fork.
If there was any failure in ESO’s leadership at the frontlines, then they deserve the call-outs— because at the end of the day, these could serve as a starting point for moving forward. But resorting to combative tactics is almost a deliberate act of overlooking something equally important: these student council officers are students too, juggling the same demanding academic workloads. Not to mention, their council duties weighing down on them like enormous rocks.
The metal axe isn’t gripped by one hand alone— many fingers are wrapped around its handle.
The bardagulan isn’t a one-college show; that would’ve been too boring if others just stood as spectators—customs say it should be intercollegiate.
With the Legendary Mentors bringing home the trophy like royalty, some (P.S. not just them) decided that celebrating this win alone was never enough. The ASTEEGS needed to be reminded that they lost; though, this isn’t to forget that some ASTEEGS simply love to instigate keyboard wars—because, hey, who could resist telling the Legendary Mentors that they only won because they merged with the Legends of CETD Senior High School, right?
Voices—or should I say, noises—come breaking through from left and right. Not just among the Legendary Mentors and ASTEEGS. However, these shouldn’t make us forget what the Intramurals was originally all about.
The competitions were not designed for us to clash, but to showcase our talents. While we race for championships, we must do so in the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.
Perhaps that’s what competition was meant to remind us—not who’s superior, but who can learn and adapt.
It takes deep humility to acknowledge that COE’s
preparations might have fallen short and other colleges, like COEd, simply recalibrated their strategies.
But… then again, who’s at fault, really?
Where do we draw the line between accountability and simply blaming? It is crucial for any constituent to acknowledge that not everything can be taken at face value, and that includes pointing fingers when everyone else’s expectations and what came to be in reality has fallen short.
For one, just because your college cannot lay claim to this year’s glory does not mean that the fault solely lies in those leading at the top. They may steer the ship, but for an entire vessel to sail and arrive at its destination, each oar must row. They aren’t just the ones whose voices may have grown hoarse in urging other yell participants to raise theirs; they aren’t the only ones wearing themselves out training and playing for events. Most importantly, how everyone else performs under their leadership—no matter how stellar they may be—is well out of their control.
The few yet long years of holding onto the shine of the golden trophy must have warmed and slowly loosened the grip of those who previously reigned. What this “loss,” or at least this dethronement could teach, is that past the blinding light of glory they’ve long grown accustomed to, no reign lasts forever.
Hold the ones at the top accountable, yes—but no matter how willing and blazing their spirits may be, the student body—their flesh—the one that moves—must not be weak in order to realize their will, too.
The competition for MSU-GSC’s Intramurals 2025 this time around attests to a victory won by the skin of one’s teeth. ASTEEGS may have proven themselves to be good as ever, yes, it’s just that this time, the Legendary Mentors have proven themselves better. After all, the winner takes it all.
photo by Jibrylle Mohammad
JOHN WYNNE ESCOLANO
VANESS VILLAFUERTE
photo by Katrina Elises
NIEL ZSUN JOHN VEGA
