Scoring Beyond the Game

For Hal Duran, being a student athlete at Foundation University was more than just wearing the Greyhounds jersey. It was a transformative journey that shaped his life both on and off the court. A proud graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management at Foundation University, Hal is a great example of how sacrifice, discipline, and love for the game can help set you up for long-term success.

Hal’s varsity years were filled with dedication and resilience. Representing Foundation University in basketball, he recalls his college experience as both fulfilling and challenging. “It depends on the person,” he says when asked about the difficulty of being a student-athlete. “If you want to fulfill your goals both as an athlete and as a student, you have to learn how to manage your time. You can’t be an athlete if you have bad grades.”

He lived by that principle each day. Despite the physical and mental demands, he remained thankful for the opportunity to pursue his education while playing the sport he loved. This opportunity was even more meaningful for him and his family, whose livelihood depended on making bricks in Daro. “The scholarship we received as varsity players really helped our family,” Hal shares. “It was a way for us to enjoy what we love while getting support for our education.”

His journey also came with setbacks. In December 2005, Hal suffered an injury on his right knee. For the final year and a half of his college life, he had to focus on his studies and step away from competitive basketball. He completed his studies in October 2006 and graduated in 2007.

Hal’s experiences on the team taught him valuable life lessons. Adjusting to teammates from different backgrounds and ambitions was difficult at first. But over time, he learned to blend in, adapt, and eventually step up as a leader and mentor to younger players. “Being with the seniors helped me grow into a team player. That experience shaped how I work with others and I encounter no problem collaborating with my colleagues now.”

After graduation, Hal served for 14 years as Recovery Management Unit Officer at the Perpetual Help Community Cooperative. Today, he is serving his second term as Barangay Kagawad of Daro where he now leads the barangay’s sports program. His motivation to run for office came from a frustrating experience during an inter-barangay basketball tournament. “I saw how our team’s needs were neglected and our proposal for a basketball clinic for the youth was rejected due to budget constraints. I wanted to do something more for our community and that led me to public service.”

Hal now takes pride in helping develop young athletes and create better opportunities for them. “It feels good to finally be in a position to give back to the basketball community that helped shape me.”

To today’s student athletes, Hal offers a heartfelt advice. “Do your best to balance your time. Show commitment to what you love and be willing to sacrifice. Instead of spending weekends drinking or roaming around, take care of your body. Training all week will be wasted if you do not rest properly. There will always be time to enjoy later. Most importantly, do not neglect your studies. Your playing years will pass, but the lessons and knowledge you gain in school will stay with you forever.”

Hal also invites fellow alumni to stay connected with their alma mater. “I hope we can reunite and return to Foundation University. Let us see each other at the Alumni Homecoming this December.”

Still active with a team of former varsity players called the Greyhounds, Hal remains passionate about basketball and the values it has taught him. From the hard court to public service, his journey is a powerful reminder that the spirit of teamwork, discipline, and sacrifice can impact lives far beyond the game.