Sports Eye
A different tour
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – – -AFTER visiting some of my sports-minded relatives and friends in Texas, I flew to California to visit my other children, townmates and cycling friends and where I had so much fun reuniting with co-Mangaldanons in San Jose, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Milpitas (the mayor here is Jose Esteves originally from Dagupan City).
In San Jose, I was happy to hear that my town mates have organized the Mangaldan Association of Northern California (MAONCA) headed by their charming president Mrs. Delia Ordonio. In all 10 ten days that I stayed in this place, I rendezvoused five times with them, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Efren Abril and their beloved mother the ageless Mrs. Mamerta Abril formerly from barangay Salaan, Mr. and Mrs. Domingo Almonte, Jr. with whom I stayed, Mr. and Mrs. Domingo Lalaquit, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Lito Sagurit, Mr. and Mrs. Dominador “Jong” Abril, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Abril, Mr. and Mrs. Winston Aquino and, of course, Delia’s simpatico hubby, the non-drinking Nelson, to name some. Over bottles of beers, white wine and pulutan, we talked about sports in Pangasinan particularly cycling, primarily the Werweran ed Mangalda, the coming Pacquiao-Mayweather mega-bucks fight and NBA games, speculating who will be this year’s champions. We also touched on politics in Mangaldan, particularly the expected clash between Mayor Bona de Vera Parayno and Vice Mayor Manny Casupang in 2016.
The MAONCA officers asked me stay longer in San Jose up to the end of this month to attend three more important celebrations on March 14, 21 and 28 but sadly, I cannot change my travel plans. I cannot afford to miss the 21st birthday bash of my twin daughters Raisa and Raina in Fort Worth which is one of the three main reasons why I’m visiting Uncle Sam’s land.
Every Filipino here like Gerald Valdez (from Sual), Wilmac Macayana (from Bayambang) and John Frances Santos (from Iba, Zambales), who participated in my organized races in Zambales in 2010 sponsored by Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane) that I have talked to describe San Diego as the ideal place for Filipinos to live in because of the climate which is like Baguio City. It is not prone to floods (except in the lowland Mission Valley), no typhoon, no earthquake (so far) and has good economy. They say it’s also the best place to train athletes especially for cycling since it has a lot of mountains as high as the Halsema Road of Mountain Province. I believe them. Their newest sporting hero hails from here, Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs. We remember him tightly guarding Lebron James of the defending champion Miami Heat during that NBA finals. This is also the city of the late heavyweight champion Kenny Norton who hurt Muhammad Ali during their first of three fights breaking his jaw in 1973.
I will be here for just two nights and will fly back to Fort Worth where I am temporarily based. Yes, I’m on a tour here, but not on a bicycle, this time.
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My congrats to LBS Manila Team of Lito B. Soriano for winning the Mangaldan Invitational Basketball Championship beating last year’s UCAAP champions, Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes, 90-70. I got this report from my son, Jazy. This shows we still cannot hope to be on top of this James Naismith invented sport. Still unreachable ‘ika nga. The Capitol Team of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. coached by Angel Gumarang, also defeated the Mangaldan Selection, 83-75, in an exhibition match during Mangaldan’s fiesta. Keep on training guys to achieve your goal. What Manilenos can achieve, I know we can also accomplish. It’s just a matter of proper training and excellent mentoring by the coaches. Siya nawa.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And their scribes and Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” LUKE 5: 30-32
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