King Red Lion Garvo Lanete Tells Us How He Leads A Champion Team

Lucky are those who are born to be leaders. Some of them unconsciously help and reach out to people. In the field of College Basketball today, Garvo Lanete is one of them.

Never back down. Never Give Up.

These are the phrases that Garvo instilled in the minds of his teammates even before he was named as Team Captain on his final year. As early as his first season, he shared that, he was already observing his team captain Yousif Aljamal that time. At the back of his mind, he too, one day will be in that spot. That alone proved that he is eminently the best choice for the role due to his wit and drive to lead despite not being the only graduating player from his team after this season.

On how his team will or could fare this season, he said, "Mahirap this season pero we have to move forward kahit wala yung defensive threat namin na si Sudan(who is out for the season due to an ACL injury). Despite of that, madami pa din kaming bigs na pwede magstep up. We have Dave Marcelo, Kyle and Jake Pascual and even the Semerads. I'm positive they can provide quality minutes to inch the gap in our lineup."

Every team's goal is to reach the Finals and if lucky enough, win a championship as well. The Red Lions are already tried and tested when it comes to experience. But luckily for this team, "Lahat kami isa lang ang nasa isip. We're always on the same page. Sabi nga ni Coach Frankie, walang ibang goal kung hindi ang championship but of course, we'll take it one game at a time."

Though he's not the eldest in their bunch this year, Garvo, as a leader said, "I motivate my teammates well. Sinisimulan ko sa practice. Pinupush ko sila. I constantly remind them that, there's no room for lapses. Hindi pwede papetiks-petiks. Lahat dapat magtrabaho and magimprove."

A true leader himself, he also noted that having the team captain title doesn't necessarily mean that he's the only one who can act as a leader. For Garvo, anyone can lead the team at any given time.

Being billeted in a dormitory on campus exclusively for athletes like them is an advantage for the defending champion of the oldest collegiate league in the country. He said, "Mas nakikilala namin ang isa't isa since magkakasama kami sa tinitirahan. We respect each other. Alam na namin kelan pwede magbiruan, kelan yung trabaho dapat. Malaking tulong yon sa nagiging performance namin on court."

When asked if the pressure is already getting into this head now that he's playing his last season for the Red Lions, the sweet-shooting guard said, "Nandyan yung pressure pero as much as possible, hindi ko iniisip yun. Kasi, pag inisip ko din yung fact na last year ko na, ma-o-off track ako. Mawawala ako sa focus. Kaya kalmado lang dapat and one step at a time. Eventually, we'll get there naman."

"Transparent ako. Sinasabihan nila ako na, laging ako yung hindi talaga nag-gi-give up. I guess, they drew a bit of inspiration nadin from my attitude."

Garvo's co-Captain this year is Dave Marcelo, who is facing a daunting task in filling in the center slot.

"Sobrang thankful ako at sobrang proud sa school ko. Masasabi ko lang, hindi ko makikita sa ibang school yung kind of support na binibigay ng Bedan Community sa Red Lions. Win or Lose, chineecheer up ka padin nila".

They are the defending champions. They have the deepest bench among the ten teams competing this year. For impeccable Garvo, it would be magical and surreal if he and his co-captain, alongside Mar Villahermosa will exit San Beda with another championship tucked under their belt.