Westmont Magazine Lightning that Does the Work

Stefanie Berberabe ’22 is one of the most decorated Warriors in women’s basketball: NAIA Player of the Year, two-time NAIA All-American, two-time GSAC Player of the Year, and three-time All-GSAC selection. Known for her incredible dribbling skill, she ranks fourth at Westmont for average points per game, 12.3, and seventh in career scoring with 1,296 points.

During the pandemic, Fil-Am Nation, an online platform showcasing Filipino-American basketball players, featured highlights from her games. When they held tryouts for the Philippines National Basketball Team in the summer of 2021, they invited her to attend.

“Fortunately, one of the tryouts was only 45 minutes from my house in California,” Berberabe says. “The coach showed interest in me. I needed dual-citizenship to play for the Philippines, and I got it with help from Fil-Am Nation.”

The Norwalk native returned to Westmont last fall to play for the Warriors, the reigning NAIA National Champions.

Berberabe received an official offer to join the Philippines National Team while the Warriors were defending their GSAC Regular Season Title and preparing for the National Tournament.

“I couldn’t give them a definite answer because I had to focus on Nationals for Westmont,” she says.

On March 12, Berberabe scored a game-high 18 points and converted the game-icing free throws in a 50-47 win over USAO. After one of the most thrilling wins of the year for any Westmont team, the Warriors headed back to Sioux City, Iowa, to compete at the Final Site. Unfortunately, the club’s quest to repeat ended in the round of 16.

“They wanted me to go to the Philippines in the beginning of April,” Berberabe says. “But I’d miss a lot of school. I ended up going April 14 and missing two weeks of school and finals. My professors were very supportive, and Coach Moore helped me figure out the logistics.”

The team provided a condo for her in Manila while they trained for the Southeast Asia Games (SEA). She also connected with cousins nearby. “I have a lot of family in the Philippines, and they gave me incredible support,” she says.

Berberabe faced numerous challenges, such as joining a group of players who already knew each other, coping with the language barrier and adjusting to the hot, humid weather. “The gym was so hot — I’ve never sweated that much,” she says.

She understands Tagalog but doesn’t speak it fluently, which made communicating with players and coaches difficult.

In Manila, healthy competition brought a new level of intensity. “Everyone was fighting for a spot on the team, and the first weeks of practice were so physical and intense, but that excited me because I knew they’d be fighters at game time,” she says. “I was always told I was too short to play at the next level, but I was with Filipinos shorter than I am or the same height, and it inspired and empowered me. The saying ‘heart over height’ is true.”

Berberabe worried about fitting in and making a contribution. “Their fast style of play worked in my favor because my strengths include speed, quickness, hustle and gritty defense. The team nicknamed me ‘kidlat,’ which means ‘lightning’ in Tagalog, because they’ve never met anyone as speedy as I am.”

After four weeks of rigorous training, Berberabe and the squad flew to Vietnam to compete in the SEA Games, an international tournament involving multiple sports and countries. In one week, the Philippines National Team played five games, going 4-1.

The squad’s lone loss came against Malaysia (96-93), but the team dominated in the tournament. In victories against Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, the Philippines outscored opponents 398-306. They earned an SEA Games Gold Medal.

“I’m so blessed for this opportunity to play for the Philippines,” she says. “I’ve made friends who will last a lifetime and will hopefully visit California one day. It was a way to honor my parents and thank them for all they’ve done for me. They were both born and raised in the Philippines. I’ve been overwhelmed with so much love and support from my family and friends in the states and in the Philippines.

“It was such an amazing experience to bond over the same love for the sport while sharing the same culture and heritage. I’m filled with so much gratitude and couldn’t have received this gold medal without my family, friends and the glory of God.”

She returned to Westmont this fall for her final year of eligibility. While the Warriors seek to defend their GSAC Championship and return to the NAIA Final Site, Berberabe knows she only needs 242 points to set the all-time Westmont scoring record.

The coach of the Filipino National Team has talked to her about opportunities to play. 

“Depending on my schedule, I’ll be ready to represent the Philippines anytime they call me up,” she says.