In an exclusive interview with The Benildean, Benilde Blazers’ team captain Mark Sangco reflects on his journey as he embarks on his professional career after donning the green and white.
A run with five
After five years as a Benilde Blazer, Mark Sangco reflected on the beginning of his basketball journey when the sport found him as a five-year old boy, “Lagi ako sinasama ng papa ko sa basketball court tapos meron akong bola na maliit lang tapos naglalaro lang ako palagi tuwing hapon.”
From grade school to high school, he took his talents to five different schools and eventually made a name for himself after a two-year stint in La Salle Greenhills, where he contributed to the school’s first NCAA Juniors championship title in 2017.
Sangco eventually followed his heart to pursue a collegiate career at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. “The reason why first choice ko talaga [ang Benilde] is syempre gusto ko makatapos ng pag-aaral sa La Salle school and syempre that time alam ko mahina [ang] team ng Benilde so gusto ko rin talaga makapaglaro ng basketball.”
Cooking on and off the court
After playing a crucial role in the Blazers’ two consecutive Final Four appearances in Season 98 and 99, Sangco recalled how he found out he was the new team captain during the Christmas break—sparking a change within him. “During the Christmas break, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na dapat magbago ako. Kailangan maging good example ako para gumaya ang lahat at sumunod sa mga sasabihin.”
For him, the highlight of his tenure as a Blazer was being able to serve as team captain during his senior year because it gave him a deeper purpose, serving as a solid foundation for his future endeavors. “Ang pagiging isang Benilde Blazer, lalo na bilang team captain, ay nagturo sa akin kung paano maging isang tunay na lider—isang lider na hindi lang nagsasalita, kundi kumikilos at nagbibigay ng inspirasyon. Ang pagiging Blazer ay isang pribilehiyo at isang hamon na habambuhay kong ipagmamalaki.”
Despite the weight of being an athlete, Sangco shared that his journey as a Culinary Arts student made his time in Benilde fulfilling as well. “[Ang] makakagraduate ako this March ‘yun talaga ang highlight ko as a student kasi talagang mahirap pagsabayin ang pag-aaral at pag-babasketball.”
The next chapter
Despite falling short of bringing home a championship title to Taft after 24 years, he has high hopes for the teammates he leaves behind and the next generation of Benilde Blazers.
“Walang madali, pero walang imposible. Ang tagumpay ay hindi lang makukuha sa talento. Nasa disiplina, sipag, at paniniwala rin ito sa mga kasama. Huwag kayong masiraan ng loob sa mga pagkatalo; gawing motibasyon ang bawat sakit ng pagkabigo.”
“Tulad ng sabi ko, umpisa palang tong talo natin ngayong Season 100. Nag-uumpisa pa lang kayo. At higit sa lahat, huwag ninyong kalimutang ipaglaban ang pangalan ng Benilde na may puso at respeto,” he said.
Sangco is set to embark on a new journey as he aims to make a name for himself in the professional ranks either in the PBA or the MPBL which he hopes will serve as a stepping stone for a career overseas. However, he still holds his aspirations in the culinary world close to his heart.
“Bukod dito, hindi ko rin kakalimutan ang pangarap ko sa culinary world at isang araw, babalikan ko ito at ipagpapatuloy ang pagsasanay ko sa pagiging chef,” he clarified.
He also shared he will bear the values of discipline, hard work, and love in the next chapter of his journey. “Natutunan ko ring harapin ang bawat pagsubok nang may tamang mindset at hindi lang para sa sarili ko kundi para sa buong team. Ang leadership, humility, at resilience ay dadalhin ko saan man ako mapunta.”
As his collegiate career comes to a close, Sangco leaves behind a lasting legacy that exemplifies what it truly means to be a Benildean by being extraordinary, inspiring the next generation of Blazers to strive for excellence on and off the court.
