PCU Dolphins
| PCU Dolphins | |
| Philippine Christian University | |
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| League | NCAA South NCAA |
| Joined | 1996-2009 |
| Location | Taft Avenue |
| Team colors |  Blue and silver |
| Juniors' team | Baby Dolphins |
| Women's team | Lady Dolphins |
| Seniors' general championships | |
| NCAA: 2 (2004-05, 2006-07) | |
| Juniors' general championships | |
| NCAA: none | |
The PCU Dolphins are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) basketball team of the Philippine Christian University.
Their 2004 title was their only NCAA basketball title.
The other senior varsity teams may also be referred to as the Dolphins. The juniors team are the Baby Dolphins. The women's team are the Lady Dolphins.
After the revelation in early 2007 that several of PCU's junior basketball players entered the university using fradulent papers, the league suspended the school for the 2007-08. With the agreement that their seniors team can play on the 2008-09 season, the school took a voluntary leave of absence from the league starting at the 2009-10 season, in which they should re-apply their membership if ever they intend to return.
Name
Originally, the PCU administration chose a killer whale, but they instead chose a mammal close to their heart, the dolphin. The Juniors (high school) team are the Baby Dolphins.
Basketball
History
The PCU Dolphins entered the NCAA in 1996. Then known as the PCU Saints then went to the latter known, PCU DOLPHINS. The Dolphins has a "bad-boys" like image in the NCAA. They are very much like the Detroit Pistons back in the early 90s known as Motown Badboys. The Dolphins show exemplary defense and hunger for the ball which led to their first championship in 2004.The Dolphins' only problem is that they cannot seem to keep a Head Coach.
Also, the Baby Dolphins lose their best players to other College teams. Great players have been coming out of the PCU Baby Dolphins squad. But unfortunately, The college coaches cannot seem to convince them to stay in PCU. Good players include: Ronjay Buenafe(EAC Generals&Coca-Cola Tigers), Rabeh Al-Hussaini (Ateneo Blue Eagles), James Mangahas (De La Salle Green Archers), Alan Mangahas (Mapua Cardinals), Elvin Pascual (San Beda Red Lions) & Gabby Martinez.
PCU eligibility scandal
After allegations of identity switching circulated via text messaging, Philippine Christian University (PCU) was investigated by the Management Committee (MANCOM) for alleged eligibility infractions on several of its varsity teams.[1] The MANCOM has completed its own investigation and are waiting for PCU's internal investigation and has hinted of suspending the Dolphins for Season 83 after PCU's representatives did not show up in the MANCOM meeting.[2]
After the deliberation by the MANCOM, the NCAA, via a statement issued by NCAA and José Rizal University (JRU) President Vicente Fabella, suspended the Dolphins from all events after four players of the Baby Dolphins basketball team were found to have used falsified documents. The Baby Dolphins were ordered to return their second-place trophy from last season's tournament and all individual awards. The senior Dolphins' 2005-06 general championship trophy was retained, however.[3]
Rivalries
- Letran Knights - Met twice in the Final 4(PCU won both), once in the Finals(Letran won)
- San Beda Red Lions - Met once in the Finals(San Beda won and ended 28 years of Championship drought)
Players of note
Seniors
- Nelbert "Bitoy" Omolon - Drafted 7th overall by the Sta. Lucia Realtors.
- Nelson Gatdula - PCU High School Head Coach
- Bernzon Franco - Drafted in the 2nd round by the Alaska Aces
- Omar Asmad
- Jojo Roque
- Robert Sanz - 2004 NCAA Finals MVP
- Loreto "Lotlot" Soriano
- Alwyn Ilagan
- Ian Garrido - 2004 Most Improved Player and Defensive Player, 1st ever PCU player to appear solo in a commercial.
- Ramon Retaga Jr.- also played for UE, starting pointguard in their early 2000s playoffs run,he's also known as the play maker of the game and the PCU's three point king,currently playing for NBC-BACCHUS MANILA
- Beau Belga - 2007 Philippine Team Member, currently playing for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
- Gabby Espinas - First ever NCAA MVP and Rookie of the Year in a single season, 3-time NCAA Mythical 5 member Drafted 5th overall by the San Miguel Beermen in the 2006 PBA Draft.
- Jayson Castro - 3-Time Philippine Basketball League Most Valuable Player, 2-time NCAA Mythical 5 Member, 2007 Philippine Team Member, formerSingapore Slingers player, currently playing for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association.
- Harold Miraflores - Played Point Guard for the PCU All-Star game (2010)
- Lisztian Amparado - played in hapee pcu at 19 years old and played in magnolia and sumos maxibond.
- Lei Mar Navarro - forward who played in Happee team during Philippine Basketball League (school-company emerged) 2006, played in Liga Pilipinas Team Manila 2009 and EKB-Apayao Rapids 2010, also played in PBA D-League for Sumos Max Bond 2011 and now currently playing at Misamis Oriental Meteors (Liga ng Pilipinas). Unfortunately this player was not picked up in the PBA draft 2008.
- Joel Solis
Juniors
- jasper reyes - DLSU Green Archers Starting Forward
- Allan Mangahas - Mapua Cardinals NCAA Prized Rookie, 2005 Juniors MVP
- Ronjay Buenafe -(EAC Generals) Coca-Cola Tigers Prized Rookie
- Rabeh Al-Hussaini - Ateneo Blue Eagles Starting Center, UAAP MVP
- Niño Dayao - (PCU Dolphins Assistant Coach 2008)
- Jayke Pascual- San Beda Red Lions, Sinag Team Philippines (2011 SEA GAMES team)
Withdrawal from the NCAA
Rumors have leaked that PCU will not be with the NCAA at the start of the 85th season. Reasons for this are as follows[citation needed]: (note: the ff. reasons are still rumors)
- PCU plans to go to the UAAP
- PCU plans to go to other leagues such as NCRAA, CUSA, etc.
- PCU wants to rebuild and come back with a stronger lineup at the start of the 86th season. A season in which it will host.
There were talks of a possible PCU Dolphins comeback just before the 87th season started. The basketball team was rumored to be spearheaded by Coach Ato Tolentino, the coach that led the Dolphins to their first and only Basketball Championship back in 2004. The talks died because of financial issues within the PCU organization.
Other Sports
- Roel Licayan (3-time gold medalist NCAA Lawn Tennis-Juniors Division)
Championships won
Seniors
- Basketball - 1(2004–2005), (3 straight Finals appearance in '04, '05, '06)
- Football - 3 (1998–1999,1999–2000,2000–2001)
- Track and Field - 1 (2005–2006)
- Swimming - 3 (1999–2000,2000–2001,2001–2002)
- Volleyball
- (M) - 1 (2005,2006)
- (W) - 2 (2003–2004, 2004–2005)
- Table Tennis (W) - 1 (2004–2005)
- Beach Volleyball (W) - 1 (2004–2005)
- Total = 13 championships
Juniors
- Track and Field - 2 (2002–2003,2004–2005)
- Table Tennis - 1 (2004–2005)
- Chess - 3 (2005–2006)
- Total = 6
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