Jerome Lulu was only seven years old when he joined his first basketball tournament. His father used to tag him along to watch a game in their barangay. His father, who he considers his inspiration, taught him how to play not only basketball but other sports, as well.
Fourteen years later, Jerome, a 21-year old junior BS Civil Engineering student, has become one of the most sought-after basketball players in Holy Cross College, a school of 5,500 learners. He is the team’s captain. As such, Jerome helps their coach, Fred Dizon, train the team to become better athletes and well-rounded human beings. These are what he learns from playing, the student-athlete says. For him, basketball is more than just dribbling or shooting; it’s more than just defense or offense; it’s a sport of discipline.
“[B]ilang captain ball dapat modelo ka … tulad ng pagsunod sa oras dahil minsan gabi na kami natatapos, tapos maaga ang training. Dapat walang absent sa mga trainings at higit sa lahat ang pagkakaroon ng mahabang pasensya sa paglalaro dahil minsan hindi naiiwasan ang problema sa loob ng court.”
According to Jerome, the team gets more than 100 percent support from the school. After all, it is HCC’s mission to develop its students not only intellectually, but, just as important, holistically. The school provides the basketball team—like all the other sports teams—with the facilities and equipment necessary for training. The gymnasium, for example, has just been renovated in 2020.
Jerome says: “Sapat ang serbisyong binibigay nila sa mga student athlete na siyang dahilan kung bakit nananalo ang mga players nito sa ibat ibang mga larangan.”
Jerome Lulu, the captain of HCC’s basketball team, juggles his time as an athlete, student, and part-timer. 
Jerome Lulu, the captain of HCC’s basketball team, juggles his time as an athlete, student, and part-timer. 
Jerome Lulu, the captain of HCC’s basketball team, juggles his time as an athlete, student, and part-timer. 
Jerome Lulu, the captain of HCC’s basketball team, juggles his time as an athlete, student, and part-timer.
Ballgame amid the pandemic
Before the pandemic happened, the basketball team regularly meets to train
It’s a different story, though, this time of pandemic. Because of the restrictions, the team is not yet allowed to train together. Nevertheless, the athletes still enjoy the school’s support. “Ngayong pandemic naman natutulungan kami sa pamamagitan ng libreng pag aaral. Kahit mahirap, tinulungan kami na pagpatuloy ang aming mga pangarap,” Jerome continues.
Although he’s an athlete, Jerome says he remains focused on his studies. He knows he’s a student first before a basketball player. He submits his academic requirements on time before he trains himself.
On the side, he works as a part-timer in a construction company in Guam, where he has been residing since the pandemic began in early 2020. Jerome shares his family decided to stay there for the time being. When asked why he chose to be a working student-athlete, Jerome answers it’s how he can help his family.
Jerome considers basketball his passion. As a representative of Holy Cross College, he has gone to different places to compete. Along his journey, he met people who eventually became his friends.
Distance learning allows the Guam-based student to continue his studies here at Holy Cross College, where he still gets support as an athlete and a beneficiary of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program.
The HCC captain ball says he’s serious about basketball. He wants to pursue a career in the sport and become a professional player, and it shows in the way that he speaks about the sport. He is disciplined. He makes time to play and train. He listens to his coaches. He prepares for the day when he can step inside the court again to show his skills and what he’s made of, not only as a basketball player but also as a man with a burning desire to make his dreams come true, no matter the odds.
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