Dibdib StoryTelling

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

Player Focus: Macoy Deposoy

When Boss JSY fielded a solid Negros Oriental-based gunners in a hostile Negros Occidental basketball floor, he knew his team needed relentless on-ball defense to go along with smooth offensive schemes. That’s the reason why John Mycco Deposoy got the call. Glady, he made his services available for Royal Star.

The said Governor’s Cup showed flashes of what Macoy could become in a certain period of time. Playing decent minutes for Coach Hubert Manzano, Deposoy, whenever his number was called, made sure he jammed the opposition’s offense before it could start. He was pesky, a blanket in isolation situations. Sure enough, he helped the team hoist the silver plum.

Where is Macoy Deposoy today?

A short answer: a CHAMPION through and through.

Following the NegOcc cup, Macoy stayed in Boss JSY’s “study-first-and-hoops-next” ecosystem. He enrolled in Collegio San Agustin - Bacolod where he helped CSA-B capture the collegiate crown last year. He was a CHAMPION. He wasn’t just an important piece, for he was the heart-and-soul of both the offense and defense.

Boy he was clutch. Macoy sank the game-winning triple - a core memory for the allies, a heartbreaker for the rivals.

This year, they are gunning for a back-to-back. They already secured game one of the Finals against Collegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias. Dejavu! Deposoy again sank the eventual game-winning, clutch trey.

He lives in those moments. He doesn’t flinch when the cameras shine the brightest. He simply works hard and smart because that’s who he is - a magnet for loose balls, a bruiser who gets bruised but stays in his game, a never-say-die competitor. He gets picked on, elbowed, but still smiles to annoy whoever you put in front of him.

Did we mention that he was also part of the historic Sibulan team that won CHAMPIONS in the NegOr Governor’s Cup? He was part of Coach Gab’s death five that made team Sta. Catalina looked helpless.

All these he credited Boss JSY for the trust and for the opportunity to get good education and a pathway to his professional journey. Macoy is a defensive specialist who values diploma, honors his parents and looks back to where it all started. He is winning in basketball and in life.

Let’s not act like our Duma/NegOr boys are not making it big in the Jr MPBL. Way to go, Marky (Quezon), Axcel and Matthew (San Juan) and Stephen (Abra).

CJ Oftana: TNT’s Primary Arsenal

Despite the loss, Calvin John Oftana is arguably the Talk N Text’s BEST player in the whole Finals series against the San Miguel Beermen.

He is the focal point on offense, often leading Tropang Giga’s scoring outputs - showcasing his evolving killer instincts and playing the role as the cornerstone of the MVP-owned franchise.

It is safe to say that the Gilas mainstay - a proud Bisaya - is a key building block for TNT’s future championship aspirations.

Pubmat: credits to an Oftana fanpage

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

Hot Seat: Jorge Magalso

Boss Jojo Sy had a solid vision: to represent Dumaguete City with pride and honor and to provide NegOrenses with the platform to showcase their skills. Boss JSY called. Jorge Magalso responded.

The U18 RST team reinvented NegOr basketball after taking the NegOcc event by storm. Jorge Magalso was a huge part of the guest team that exceeded expectations, the team that won the hearts of the basketball-loving Negros Islanders. Strong-bodied and with great reflexes, Coach Hubert had a defensive juggernaut in Jorge at the forward spot.

Where is Jorge Magalso today?

The good-looking baller is a fixture in Team Dumaguete basketball, the select team that took home the bronze in the recently concluded Chaco Sagarbarria Inter-Town Tournament. He has been with the Mike Villahermosa-mentored squad not only because of his familiarity with the system; but also because of the skillset that he brings to the table.

He is an important piece in Shoprite Basketball, a commercial team that has been winning open tournaments in the city and beyond. Where there is Shoprite success, there is Jorge Magalso doing work.

Magalso also represented the Team Kobe’s Grill that captured the championships in the 2025 Dumaguete Fiesta Cup. Under Coach Nic Rubio and the mentorship of Atty. Lentorio, Magalso continued to shine in competitive basketball.

Jorge Magalso’s home is the Metro Dumaguete Water Quenchers where he plays alongside former Asian College standouts and other homegrown elites. There, he is celebrated as an indispensable star - a leader the MDW team can build around. One cannot mention the Quenchers without mentioning Jorge Magalso. The name is synonymous with the team’s triumphs.

Jorge, a former AC Lightning and a Royal Star Trading gem, has come a long way and will continue to grace Negros basketball with his looks, his competitiveness and his personality - today and in the years to come.

Alvin Credo: The “No Limit" Phenom from Dumaguete

Alvin Credo is a remarkable, young and multi-talented individual, embodying the modern student-athlete with an exceptional drive.

“No Limit” is now a member of the Kamito Global brand. It should not come as a surprise. We are about to see him play pickleball internationally. He is built different.

Credo is currently juggling a demanding engineering degree with elite athletic competition. This speaks volumes about his time management, intellectual capacity, and discipline.

His athletic foundation is elite. Being a Palarong Pambansa gold medalist in table tennis places him among the very best youth athletes in the Philippines. This background provides him with exceptional hand-eye coordination, reflexes, spin recognition, and mental fortitude—skills that translate powerfully to pickleball.

He has transitioned this elite racket sport talent to pickleball, where he is now competing "at the highest level." His rapid rise in a sport that values similar attributes to table tennis is a testament to his adaptability and commitment to success.

The nickname "No Limit" perfectly captures his described ethos. It signifies a mindset that refuses to be boxed in by conventional boundaries between academics and sports, or between different athletic disciplines.

His association with Kamito Global Team and his role as a brand ambassador for Kamito indicates that his skill, story, and marketability are recognized. Kamito is a significant sports brand in the Philippines, and this partnership provides him with support and a platform.

He represents a new wave of Filipino athletes making their mark in emerging global sports, carrying the flag of his country and his hometown, Dumaguete City.

Alvin Credo’s "no limit" philosophy makes him a figure to watch in the sporting world and an excellent ambassador for the synergy of intellect and athleticism.

📸 Alvin’s FB

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

The Metamorphosis of Shaun Ybesate

Just like Boss JSY who always holds the down the fort in defense of his team, one player made his mark in the Neg Occ Governor’s Cup by way of standing up for his teammates. Remember the tune-up game when Shaun single-handedly stirred a volatile situation, standing up for his teammates and the team's name when a fight seemed inevitable? He is him.

Where is Shaun Ybesate today?

Shaun Ybesate's playing career is rooted in the renowned Don Bosco Greywolves program in Dumaguete, a cradle for disciplined, hard-nosed players. As a point guard, he embodied the classic Don Bosco mold: defense-first identify, smart reads, system -oriented playbook and a relentless but clean approach to the game.

Following in the footsteps of a tradition set by mentors before him (Hubert Manzano, Butch and Bart and Kirk Waleson) Ybesate made an exceptionally early transition.

Immediately after his active playing days, while still in his early 20s, he moved to the sidelines. This rare leap suggests his coaches and superiors saw an innate tactical mind and leadership quality that transcended his age.

Boss JSY is a key figure in the Negros Island basketball community who recognized his potential and trusted him with responsibility despite his youth. His time with Royal Star Trading was pivotal. Playing in the competitive commercial environment, he was thrust into a role that demanded full leadership. Here, he learned to orchestrate offenses for professionals and veterans, honing his understanding of game management and team dynamics beyond his years.

This is where Ybesate's story becomes remarkable. He didn't just become a coach; he became a successful one. Today, Ybesate is a multi-titled drillmaster.

Shaun Ybesate exemplifies a powerful basketball journey: from a defensive-minded Don Bosco point guard, to a Royal Star leader in the commercial league scene, to a prodigy coach who wins championships and commands the respect of older players. His career is a testament to the Don Bosco system's strength in developing basketball minds and highlights the vibrant, talented coaching pipeline flourishing in the Philippines' regional basketball landscape.

He is a name to watch in the future of Philippine coaching.

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

Dive Deep Into: Derrick Ching

Boss JSY’s U18 RST team (2022) that proved doubters wrong was a mix of polished stars, up-and-coming gunners and raw talents. Some were of established skillset; others were a story of potential and what-could-have-been.

That team had Derrick Ching. The RK and good-looking power forward was also Don Bosco’s steady front court presence. He was in the mix together with the other Duma bigmen. And Ching, though playing limited minutes, provided the much needed help off the bench during the non-Vincoy minutes.

RST needed him. He was the commanding voice in the locker room whose leadership shone the brightest in moments when the cameras were out and away. He was the glue guy who blends well with the diverse Bisaya culture.

Where is Derrick Ching today?

From the hardwood to the hustle, his journey has been one of remarkable reinvention. Once a promising basketball player whose leadership dazzled coaches, he has now channeled that same focus and discipline into a new arena: education and digital creation.

As a content creator, he specializes in breaking down the science of modern fashion and trends. He has all the makings of the next TikTok superstar. His videos—a mix of showcasing old money fits and relatable student-life vlogs—dissect the intricacies of men’s fashion and translate athletic discipline into academic and life success. He doesn't just show highlights; he explains the why behind the “what’s cool”, the fun of mixing-and-matching outfits, and the psychology of resilience.

This seamless pivot demonstrates that the potential once seen in his hooper era has evolved into a different form of leadership. Now, from behind the camera and the books, he educates, inspires, and cultivates a community of aspiring athletes, vloggers and students, proving that dedication, whether to a sport or a craft, is the ultimate transferable skill.

Ching insn’t just creating worthwhile contents; he is also influencing the youth to do more and be more. That, in itself, is the true definition of success.

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

Zooming In On: Manu Villareal

When Boss Jojo Sy planned on competing against the more established Bacolod-based colleges in the 2022 NegOcc Gov Cup, he knew exactly the blueprint: that his Dumagute RST team must be anchored on toughness and smarts.

Basketball is not just about the physicality of the game. There’s more to it such as mental fortitude, discipline and an intelligent approach not many possesses.

Enter Manu Villareal. He is literally “sharp” just like the many definitions of the word.

A sharpshooter.
A sharp mind.
A sharp competitor.

Manu is a spot-up, high-efficiency shooter. When he’s left wide open, he’d make opponents pay with his high-percentage shot-making. When he’s chased around, he’d bend defenses by reading the next 3 to 4 options and make the smart plays. That’s exactly what he brought to the table to the tune of the RST bringing home the 1st runner up tilt.

Where is Manu Villareal today?

Naturally inclined and in-love with schooling, a SPED Fast Learner to begin with, Manu is chasing his dreams and is making it big in the academe. He still plays for his SU intramural team. He still puts fears in the hearts of those that guard him.

The younger Villareal is an important piece in the title-clinching Barangay Daro under Coach Mike Villahermosa. Son of FU Greyhound legend Dave Rod Villareal, Manu carves his own path as a cold-blooded shooter who can mix well the demands of Silliman education and the sport he loves.

His Don Bosco days and his RST stint make him confident in shooting his shots - be it basketball, his dreams and life in general. Nobody is more goal-driven than a hot-handed shooter with the sharpest of minds.

He’s got an “okay” athleticism. But his smarts, toughness and shooting are off the charts.

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

Highlight: Karl Bayrante

Boss Jojo Sy’s RST team is always composed of at least 3 groups of players: the flame-throwing shooters who can shoot anywhere, the rugged defenders who make opponents’ lives difficult and the guys who do the blue collar job - the dirty work, the hustle and the things stats don’t necessarily count.

The latter is exactly what Karl Bayrante does.

A Bosconian through and through, Karl Bayrante is the quiet but effective piece of the RST team that took home the silver during the 2022 Neg Occ Governor’s Cup. His contributions included the following: a decent shot-making from beyond the arc, hustle that keeps the 50/50 balls back to RST possession and the willingness to trade blows when push comes to shove.

Where is Karl Xellent Bayrante today?

Karl is a hard-nosed competitor. He doesn’t back down, not against bigger, stronger counterparts. He still plays basketball while juggling academics and personal life.

In a recent Facebook reel that’s going viral, Bayrante can be seen hitting threes after threes in a Class C tournament. His avalanche of long bombs is reminiscent of his elementary and high school days when he’d make opposing coaches scratch head looking for answers.

The kid is a DB champ for a reason. He compliments the main pieces. He supports the team in ways that, at times, invite “lambingan” on the hard court. He is a hardworking athlete who is oftentimes misconstrued as trouble magnet. No. He just plays so hard that he defends his teammates with his life.

Karl doesn’t really give elbows just because. It’s one thing when you are passionate. Karl also takes some - a lot, maybe - of bruises, of scratches.

One thing remains true. Karl knows no backing down. Karl is all about winning - the clean and honest and sometimes the painful way.

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

Player Spotlight: Prince Anasario

The creation of a Dumaguete-based U18 basketball team engineered to compete in the Negros Occidental Governor’s Cup paved the way for the Don Bosco Dumaguete and Asian College alliance. Boss Jojo Sy has visions: unite the powerhouses in his hometowm Dumaguete and tell the world that Dumaguete actually “CAN”!

The tournament was Prince Anasario’s breakthrough chapter. The high-leaping forward from Asian College showed flashes of brilliance and helped the Royal Star Trading in its quest for basketball greatness. He had the sweet stroke, the calm but fierce aura and the “utility” value every coach wished to have.

Where is Prince Anasario today?

Playing through injuries, Toto still manages to suit up and play hoops. Still rehabbing from a tough injury that limited his basketball journey, Anasario is now a shell of himself as far as the highest level of competition is concerned. But he is not totally away from the game he loves the most.

After his RST stint, he still represented Bais City in inter-town tournaments where he’d help the Atty. Elmaco-managed team achieve strings of successes. As a member of the select team, he showed leadership and inspiration to his teammates.

He would play for the ASMJ team (2023) and the My Home squad (2025) that’s been triumphant in its basketball campaign locally.

Today, he plays basketball to stay active while he focuses on their livestock business alongside his beautiful and smart girlfriend. Despite playing only as a pastime, people can always see the athlete that he always is - thriving in both volleyball and basketball - driven, composed and humble.

Toto is always a winner. Whatever the circumstances may be, he’d always find a way to win.

Dumaguete Royal Star Trading: Where Are They Now?

In-Focus: Jian Ragay

Boss JSY’s trust in Dumaguete boys validated what was already known to be true: that our homegrown talents can deliver in big moments and represent the RST brand of basketball at an elite level.

The 2022 edition of the U18 RST team was best known for its high-octane offense and pesky defense. Coach Hubert Manzano’s set-plays begin with the floor general orchestrating, and the shooters locating their sweet spots.

The team was led by a high-IQ and defensive specialist point guard Jian Ragay. The Bosconian one-guard would scan the floor, set teammates up and disrupt the opposing team’s grand plans through mental warfare.

Where is Jian Ragay today?

Studies. Business. Coaching.

With the ultimate goal of becoming an engineer, Jian chose the quiet life but not totally detached from basketball. Since the RST glory days, he’s been juggling studies, the Trophy Threads and helping Don Bosco Dumaguete reassert dominance in inter-HS competitions.

Silliman University saw flashes of Ragay’s old self during the intramural meet. He’s been supporting the local hoops by partnering with Dupros during the Christmas league a year ago. He’s engaged in business - as sports apparel provider and seller of pickleball essentials.

He is known best for continuing Don Bosco basketball’s legacy of winning, coaching alongside fellow Bosconian and RST lifer Shaun Ybesate that won back-to-back titles after Coack Kirk Waleson’s departure.

Jian is built different. Winning is in his genes. Performing at a level so admirable, whatever field it may be, is deeply rooted in him.

Birthday giveaway! To arrive in Pinas by December. Salamat ka-DST.