Reniel-sempai

It's nice to see someone you know and have played with in the same team, won a cup for his team almost single-handedly.

Reniel was my one-year senior at Mumong/PJN Science stream and also lived at the hostel. His footballing education enhanced there, playing in tandem with the Ulu Belait people where the only way to get the ball is to get it yourself (the people never pass a teammate there, seriously). He also starred in a few games for our team, Junior MetroStars FC.

Our usual game mode in the hostel was shooting outside the box for a goal in an area using half the pitch - meaning the keeper is neutral. As a result, a lot of PJN hostelers have terrific power shots and the keepers are very agile (I only developed my passing game but I score the occasional full/half-volley and overheads).

Reniel moved on to Nursing School after a brief stint at Sayyidina Ali with his long-time companion Jusmen. He left as a very popular footballing superstar, who had ability in all aspects of the game (can even play as a keeper), and revered by even the baddest hosteler.

Last thing I heard about him before this is his role as a star striker for a B-League team based in Tutong (can't remember which) but... hey, Man-of-the-Match for a cup final is quite awesome.

But not so surprising.