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PHILIPPINE Collegiate Championship League (PCCL) semifinals game savior Christopher "Oping" Sumalinog is proud to have been discovered from the Queen City of the South.


Oping who started shooting hoops at the age of six in Don Bosco Technological School in Labangon, Cebu is now in his third playing year for back-to-back defending champion Ateneo de Manila University (Admu) Blue Eagles.


He led his team in its semifinals win in the PCCL tournament against San Beda College chipping in 14 points and seven rebounds and played a crucial role in Game 3 of the Finals with 11 points and nine rebounds.


The Blue Eagles were crowned the new champions of the PCCL 2009 defeating UAAP rival Far Eastern University, 74-70.

This proud Cebuano shared to Sun.Star that it was his family who influenced his liking for the sport.

Oping's father, Hermes, used to play for the University of the Visayas while his older brothers, Michael Anthony and Hermes Jr., are alumni players of the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers and the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, respectively.

"It was the first sport that was introduced to me by my dad. I eventually learned to love it in the process," said the fourth year AB Interdiscplinary Studies student.

Oping was discovered by the Ateneo team in his third year in high school when he was playing in the Milo Best and Cesafi tournaments.

It was his father who took care of his basketball career and eventually picked Ateneo for his son.

When asked if his dad's decision was fine with him, the Blue Eagle forward quickly said "yes".

"Ateneo does not even exist before in my life... I think of the schools in Manila as if its far away, like its from another planet," said the young Sumalinog.

He felt excited, trying out for the Katipunan-based team, at the same time scared of what is ahead of his collegiate career.

"There's a part of me that's confident at the same time I was also scared because when I got there, it felt like as if I was alone and the opponents are much bigger players."

Like his teammates Nonoy Baclao who came from Bacolod and Emman Monfort from Iloilo, Oping shared that he also felt "culture shocked" because he was not fluent with Tagalog.

But his home taught him to build a strong character - physically and emotionally - and this is what keeps him going.

He said bullies in basketball leagues cannot be avoided but he trusts that he can overcome them.

"Of course if you feel afraid, negative things come to your mind but as time pass by, you get close to your teammates and it (Ateneo) feels like your second home," Oping added.

After playing for Ateneo, Oping wishes to go pro in the Philippine Basketball League and the Philippine Basketball Association.

"(I will continue) while I can still play with my young legs and young body," he said.

He sees his former teammate Chris Tiu as his inspiration because of the former team captain's leadership.

"Nasa kanya na sa lahat eh," said Oping who admires his determination and Tiu's love for the country.

Outside the Blue Eagle squad, JV Casio is his idol. "He's so humble even if he plays really well. Quiet but deadly."

The humble Blue Eagle is armed by faith as he will continue to soar high in the tournaments of his squad.

He will be visiting his hometown this December to celebrate Christmas with his family.

To his fans in Cebu, Oping expressed his gratitude saying: "Ang ako rang masulti lang sa mga taga-Cebu, apilon lang pud nako ang mga taga-bohol, kai ang akong papa taga bohol man.so sa mga taga Cebu ug taga Bohol, thank you kayo sa pagsuporta sa mga inyong pag-ampo namo kai nakatabang intawon sa among pag-champion sa kuan (UAAP) back-to-back (To all those in Cebu and Bohol, thank you for all the support and to all the prayers because it helped us in reaching back-to-back UAAP championship)."

This religious Cebuano cager also advised aspiring players from the South to perform well in their field and leave it up to the Lord to do his part.

"It is normal experiencing failure but what is important is to show up, perform well if you have a tryout or if you have a game. The Lord will do His share; just do your part as well."

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