CESAFI MVP Shaq Imperial takes pride as lemon seller, delivery boy

(Mulls on staying put in the league but no longer with the SWU-Phinma Cobras)

Reigning CESAFI college MVP Sir Shaquille Imperial

CEBU, Philippines —   After being honored as Most Valuable Player in last year’s Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. basketball season, Sir Shaquille Imperial proved he is worthy of such lofty accolade when he helped the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras clinch their first CESAFI championship since 2014.

With Imperial as floor leader, the Mike Reyes-mentored Cobras dethroned the three-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers to end their five-year title drought.

The pride of Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City still has one more playing year left in Cebu’s premiere inter-school athletic league.

But when the CESAFI resumes next year after cancelling its entire 2020 season due to the clear and present danger of Covid-19, Imperial said he will not spend his swansong season with the Cobras, his mother club for the past four years.

 “I have already talked with coach Mike that I have decided to sit out the last playing year because I have to pursue other priorities,” said Imperial, a consistent All-Star and Mythical Five member who is best known as an excellent ball handler and prolific outside shooter.

Imperial made it clear though that he is not going anywhere. The high-leaping hardcourt slasher intends to stay put in the league, albeit no longer in a crimson uniform emblazoned with a fierce Cobra logo.

“Maybe I will still play in the CESAFI but no longer with SWU. As of now, I don’t know as to which team because I haven’t talked to any schools yet,” said Imperial, who completed his four-year college course with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management from SWU-Phinma last May. He will take up either law or a master’s degree in the upcoming school year.

  “To my SWU Cobras family, I wish them good life. Stay safe always especially these days. About basketball, it was a hell of a ride with you guys, from being at the bottom to becoming the champions. Thank you for the wonderful four years, something that I’ll treasure in my lifetime,” added the 5-foot-10 playmaker.

Like anybody else greatly affected by the worldwide malady, Imperial has his own reflections during these bleak times.

“During the course of this pandemic, I realized how important life really is. I have never spent more time with my parents than this time. It gave me the chance to bond with them as well as my siblings. Life is just too short and so I want to maximize the chance to prove to myself that I can be independent and still contribute to my parents,” shared Imperial.

Gazing through the current situation against the backdrop of uncertainty, Imperial felt it’s about time for him to start working so he can give back to his parents who have fully supported him through the years.

“So when the chance to work on the sidelines came along, I grabbed the opportunity,” said the 25-year-old Imperial.

Right now, Imperial juggles his time as a re-seller of lemons he bought from the Carbon Public Market and as a delivery boy of Maxim, an international company that provides service for food and shop delivery in at least 14 countries in Asia including Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Imperial takes pride for his dignified work knowing that it makes him relevant and productive during this unprecedented crisis mankind has ever faced in modern times.

“For me, whatever work you engaged in, as long as it is an honest living, then it is worth giving your best. Just like in basketball, I always give my best in whatever I do,” Imperial ended.