The San Sebastian Golden Stags and Lady Stags, also known collectively as the SSC-R Stags, are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) varsity teams of the San Sebastian College – Recoletos. Their five consecutive NCAA seniors basketball championships was the longest streak in the NCAA.

The college's juniors team are the San Sebastian Staglets.

Monicker The Recollect fathers chose a stag for it symbolizes a Christian who, filled with moral ideas, runs fast to God swiftly yet quietly in pursuit of his goals.

The use of the stag as SSC-R symbol started when SSC-R, originally an exclusive school for boys, joined the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In religion, the stag is a symbol of moral ideals. It was used by the early Christians as an emblem of Christ and as a figure of the apostles. It became the symbol of administration of baptism because of its capacity to carry heavy load or object. It was also used as the symbol of the catechumen who aspired for martyrdom.

Some of the Holy Fathers presented the Stags as model of what a Christian should do when a pagan threatens him. That is to run away fast to God. A fitting comparison because aside from swiftness coupled with quietness in the pursuit of goals, the stags is gifted with speed and nimbleness to evade dangers. Like a stag, a Christian should be quick to avoid the practice and agencies when they become moral threats. In the same manner, without the hunter knowing it, the stag would lead the hunter out of the jungle into a cleared area. A Christian should do no less. Even as he evades the temptations of the consumeristic and materialistic establishments, he should guide the owners and consumers out of the jungle of sin to the cleared area of salvation.

Bravo Literally, it means, “brave” taken from the Latin word “bravura” which means “courage”. But courage does not mean being the “siga-siga” type who does not run away from a fight. It means evading or running away from dangers of his soul. A coward runs away with a trembling heart and a broken spirit. A courageous man runs away with a firm heart, a strong faith and triumphant soul, and we salute this type of man.

Colors The colors Red and Gold were adopted as to identify San Sebastian College during the National College Athletic Association. Red symbolizes sacrifice, martyrdom, bravery and baptism. The element of Gold represented by its shimmering color, on the other hand, stands for endurance and the perennial quest for high standards – inner strength in the quest for excellence – symbolic of the loyal dignity of a true Christian. Thus, the Sebastinian renders sacrifices and, in a way, martyrdom, for he submits himself to the pains of rigorous training and discipline in his quest for glory. This entails bravery not only in fighting for victory but in accepting defeat graciously as well; and endurance to be able to withstand pain.

Corporate support In 2016, Foton Motor Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Foton motor vehicles in the Philippines signed an agreement to support the athletics program of the San Sebastian College and helping in the growth and success of the school athletes. The agreement signing was witnessed by Foton officials Rommel Sytin and Alvin Lu and San Sebastian officials Atty. Raymund Munsayac and Coach Roger Gorayeb.

Basketball

The San Sebastian Stags Basketball Team

The Golden Stags have won 12 titles in the NCAA since 1973. Their last title was in 2009-10. The team featured the then-rookie Calvin Abueva who would become the most outstanding player in the school's history.

The San Sebastian Staglets Junior Basketball Team

NCAA SEASON 102

The Sebastian Lady Stags was the most number of championship in the NCAA with 23 championship titles. Team roster No.NamePosition 1 Santos, Katherine 2 Cañete, Reyann 3 Bermillo, Jewelle (c) L 4 Marasigan, Christina 6 Tan, Roxanne L 7 Requierme, Shane 8 Dionisio, Kristine Joy MB 9 Sison, Alexia Vea S 10 Tan, Kamille Josephine Amaka 11 Ultu, Angela Nicole 13 Carreon, Jamille Veronica 14 Ordoña, Bianca 16 San Juan, Alyssa Joy Guibao, Jamie Annika (r) Roger Gorayeb HC NCAA Season 95 San Sebastian Lady Stags No. Name Position1 DAPOL, Mary Rhose (c)Outside hitter2 CANETE, Reyann3 REQUIRME, Shannai ShaneMiddle blocker4 CONSUEGRA, Queene5 AREVALO, Coleen Dorothy6 TAN, RoxanneLibero7 CAPUTOLAN, Alla Mae9 SISON, Alexia VeaSetter10TAN, Kamille Josephine Amaka11LIM, Catherine GabrielleLibero12DELA CRUZ, Christine13CARREON, Jamille Veronica14ORDONA, Bianca19BIGATA, SherielynMiddle blocker Head coach: Roger Gorayeb Asst. coach: Clint Malazo

See also San Beda-San Sebastian rivalry

References