GMC Flying Dragons Finished 1st Runner-Up in the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup Season 4
News Bulletin No. 20
By: Lhizanie Baroga | Contributor: Sharon Dorotheo
Taguig City, Philippines — The Guang Ming College (GMC) Flying Dragons capped off their campaign in the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup Season 4 (2026) as 1st Runner-Up, completing a remarkable season defined by resilience, steady growth, and an inspiring refusal to back down from early adversity.
The journey began on a positive note on January 22, when the Flying Dragons opened their campaign with a narrow 71–69 victory over Enderun Colleges. The close win suggested a competitive season ahead; however, momentum quickly shifted as the team encountered a difficult stretch in the elimination round. They suffered consecutive defeats against Korea University (57–93), St. Clare College (74–76), Our Lady of Fatima University (73–81), and College of Saint Benilde (81–90).
After four straight losses, the Flying Dragons found themselves at the bottom of the standings, placing their playoff hopes in serious doubt. Despite this setback, the team maintained composure and commitment.
Their turnaround began during the play-in stage. On March 14, GMC secured a crucial 80–67 win over Enderun Colleges, followed by another important victory against Our Lady of Fatima University (70–66) on March 15. These back-to-back wins reignited their campaign and secured a place in the quarterfinals.
As the stakes rose, so did their performance. Facing Jose Rizal University with a twice-to-beat advantage in favor of the opponent, the Flying Dragons delivered strong, disciplined efforts and overturned the disadvantage by winning both games, 68–64 on March 21 and 80–73 on March 29, to advance further in the competition. With each game, the team displayed improved chemistry, defensive discipline, and confidence, evolving from early struggles into legitimate contenders.
The semifinals presented a familiar challenge against College of Saint Benilde, a team that had previously defeated them in the elimination round. This time, however, GMC delivered a statement performance, overpowering their opponent with a commanding 93–81 victory on April 11, securing a historic Finals appearance.
On April 19, 2026, the Flying Dragons faced Emilio Aguinaldo College in the championship game. In a tightly contested battle that went down to the final possessions, GMC fell just short, losing 75–76 in a heartbreaking one-point defeat. Despite the narrow loss, their Finals performance reflected tremendous growth, composure, and fighting spirit.
Across the tournament, Head Coach Paul Ramos reflected on the team’s journey:
“The team started the tournament with not so good resulting games. But each game we lost were still growth games for us. We learned what facets of our game we needed to get better at and worked on it. And eventually, when our team connections got better, we had several crucial games that we were able to put ourselves in a better position to win then got lucky during end games.”
Overall, the Flying Dragons’ season stands out as one of the most inspiring turnarounds of the tournament. From a 1–4 elimination round record to a five-game winning streak in the play-in and playoffs, the team demonstrated exceptional resilience and mental toughness. Their journey highlighted how perseverance and belief can completely redefine a season’s trajectory.
Individual and coaching achievements further highlighted the team’s successful campaign. Head Coach Paul Ramos was named Best Coach of the Tournament, recognized for his leadership and ability to guide the team through adversity throughout the season, including steering the program from the bottom of the standings to a Finals appearance. His recognition was further highlighted as he was awarded over the head coach of the championship team, underscoring his exceptional coaching performance.
Meanwhile, Christian Samson, a 3rd Year BSESS student, earned the Next Man Cup Heartthrob Award, gaining recognition from fans for his standout presence and strong support throughout the competition.
While the championship title narrowly slipped away, the GMC Flying Dragons’ campaign will be remembered not just for wins and losses, but for the strength of their comeback. Their season serves as a testament that success is not defined by how a journey begins, but by how a team rises, adapts, and fights until the very end.
References
OpenAI. (2026). ChatGPT (May 20 version) [Large language model]. ChatGPT assistance. https://chat.openai.com/
Guang Ming College Sports Development Program.(2026). GMC Flying Dragons game records and internal reports.