Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Gwyn Peje represented the green-and-gold with grit at the Manila qualifiers of ‘The One’ 1v1 girls’ basketball tournament held last June 28 at the Jordan Manila Flight Deck in BGC, Taguig City.

“I’m proud of myself for representing my school and proving I can compete with some of the best. Every match taught me something new about myself and how I can grow,” she shared in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

Racking up a quick 2-0 win-loss record, Peje opened her campaign with an impressive start, quickly turning heads as she held her own against older, more experienced opponents.

However, the green-and-gold cagebelle bowed out of contention with a 1-2 slate in the latter half of her campaign, falling just a win short of the quarterfinals after a narrow loss against Mako Namiki. She ended her run with a 2-3 win-loss mark.

While the slim defeat stung, Peje expressed her gratitude for the experience and the encouragement she received from her coaches and teammates.

“I’m grateful for the support from my coaches and teammates. Their advice and belief in me gave me the confidence to face those more experienced players head-on,” the FEU standout stated.

For Peje, the tournament was not just a test of skill—it was also a reminder of the value of heart.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re the youngest or the smallest. What matters is how you play your game. If you play with passion and dedication, even if you lose, you’ll know you gave it everything—and that’s what really counts,” she shared.

A total of 24 participants, with 12 each in the girls’ and boys’ divisions, from UAAP and NCAA schools and clubs across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, competed in the Manila leg of the tourney.

University of Santo Tomas’ Rhiane Perez and De La Salle Santiago Zobel School’s Bonn Daja emerged as the champions of the girls’ and boys’ brackets, respectively.

Now in its second year, The One is a global one-on-one basketball tournament that aims to showcase talent from various cities, including Chicago, Tokyo, Paris, and Belgrade. The Manila leg is the official Philippine qualifier for athletes aged 15 to 18, where the winner will compete in the global finals this August in New York.

With the 1v1 tourney behind her, Peje is set to make her mark in the upcoming University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 88 women’s basketball tournament in September.

-  Aine Peralta

(Photo courtesy of FEU Women’s Basketball Facebook page)