For Jaime Sanchez, basketball has always been more than a game—it is a lifelong passion that he has carried from his high school days into his role today as the coach of the PacificTel Remnants. Sanchez found another way to pursue his love for basketball: by building and coaching his own team, one that gives aspiring local athletes a chance to shine. He was able to do this after he started his company— the Pacific Outsource Teleservices— offering lead generation and telemarketing services.
“I always wanted to be a basketball player,” Sanchez shared. “I played in intramurals back in high school, but when I had the chance to start my own company, I used that opportunity to form a team. That was around 2015 or 2016. At the start, we were small and had to rely on sponsors and solicitations.”
While he found success in his business, basketball remained his passion. “It’s really my passion. And it’s my desire to give a chance to those who really want to become a basketball player.” Today, PacificTel Remnants has joined tournaments not only in Cebu, but also in Manila and Cagayan de Oro.”
(Photo Credit: Argao Local Government Unit Facebook Page)
A Team Built on Local Talent
While basketball in Cebu is often dominated by “panalay” or freelance players—varsity standouts or ex-commercial players paid to play—Sanchez made it a point to anchor the Remnants with homegrown players. Many of his recruits are aspiring athletes who didn’t make it into bigger programs, but still carried the hunger to play.
“My core team is composed of local players,” Sanchez explained. “Two of them have already been scouted and are now varsity players. That’s what makes me happy—to see local talent get recognized and given a shot.”
Among his key players are Bernie Bregondo, formerly of the Southwestern University Cobras, and Jiesel Tarrosa, who once played for the UV Lancers. He also welcomed other Cebuano talents, like Charles Pepito of the San Carlos Warriors.
Passion Over Profit
Running a basketball team is far from profitable, Sanchez admits. Hiring freelance players and imports can cost anywhere from ₱4,000 to ₱15,000 per game. Cash prizes, even from local government-sponsored tournaments, often aren’t enough to cover the costs.
He noted that supporting a basketball team doesn’t make sense from a business perspective. He established the team to give chances to aspiring basketball players with potential.
For Sanchez, basketball even mirrors his other profession—telemarketing. “In telemarketing, you get rejected all the time, but you have to stay positive and keep trying. Basketball is the same. Every shot won’t go in, but you keep shooting. It’s all about resilience and mindset.”
Inspiring Stories and Tough Challenges
Sanchez’s love for basketball was inspired by none other than Michael Jordan. “It wasn’t just his skills, it was his story,” Sanchez said. “He didn’t make his high school basketball team at first. But he practiced, tried again, and eventually became the legend we all know. That’s the kind of perseverance I want my players to have.”
That same perseverance was tested when PacificTel Remnants found themselves in a challenging tournament journey. The team entered only as a replacement after another squad backed out—without much preparation and with most freelance players already committed elsewhere. They even had to win their last elimination game by at least 11 points to qualify for the semifinals. Against the odds, they pulled off a 14-point victory. The team eventually reached the finals, where they went up against Canete’s Pharmacy for the championship but fell short.
“The absence of one of our franchise players, Bernie Bregondo, was a huge concern going into that elimination game,” Sanchez recalled. “But we were lucky to get former Mapua varsity player John Edward Jabonete’s services to have a strong presence in the middle. Without him, dehado kaayo mi. Of course, everyone in the team contributed and stepped up.”
Another challenge was that local standout Ralph Reston was still recovering from an ACL injury. “He wasn’t 100% yet, but he still gave what he could. Who would have thought this would be the outcome?” Sanchez added.
“Overall, it was okay, I guess,” Sanchez said. “The challenge was that games were only every weekend. You can’t really expect all the panalay players to commit because they also have other tournaments outside Cebu with bigger talent fees. But we were able to weather the storm. Going to the semis and finals was already a bonus for us. In the first place, we weren’t even supposed to be in the tournament.”
A Call for a Homegrown Future
Despite the loss, Sanchez believes the PacificTel Remnants’ run is proof that Cebuano basketball players can rise given the right support.
“It’s time we have a true homegrown basketball team,” he said. “We need to encourage locals to learn basketball the right way—through discipline, teamwork, and strategy. It’s not just about winning games, but about building opportunities and character.”
