The new PRISAA cagefest

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

I FAILED to watch the opening of this year’s PRISAA inter-collegiate cagefest dubbed this season as “Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino, lll Cup” held last September 30 at Divine World Academy (DWAD) gym because it coincided with The Punch presswork. But I was there on October 5 during the second day of skirmishes held at the Dagupan People’s Astrodome where the six teams of this annual tournament spearheaded by the multi-titled and defending champions University of Luzon (UL) Golden Tigers, saw action. The other title contenders are the surging Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy (PAMMA) Warriors, the raging Philippine Colleges of Science and Technology (PhilCST) Topnotch, AIE College Green Eagles, PIMSAT Dragons and the restructured Colegio de Dagupan (CdD) Blue Stallions under the tutelage of former LNU and UPang coach Angel Gumarang and two assistant coaches Wesley Espinosa and Jazy Garcia.

I saw it how the UL, PhilCST and CdD thumped their opponents with CdD plastering PIMSAT, 79-44, in the first game, PhilCST clobbering AIE-C, 75-45, in the second match and UL pummeling PAMMA through the hard way, 86-74, in the main game of the day.

It’s commendable how the league commissioner, the veteran arbiter Manny Gatchalian, reprimanded the erring players and a coach for their infringements to preempt any tension that may arise that could lead to court violence and tarnish the image tourney like what happened to the other league.

It was during the games when I confirmed from PhilCST deputy tactician the former PBA Shell player from Alaminos City Jun Marzan that his Topnotch boys are definitely withdrawing from the UCAAP tilt. “Walang kaming magagawa kasi yon ang desisyon ng school management,” Marzan said but did not elaborate.

The third match was played with extreme intensity and both institutions brought its own crowd, cheering and jeering every time their player committed a laughable blunder. It’ was entertaining! Basically, the matches were done in pure sportsmanship  with all the color and excitement, and hopefully the atmosphere will be sustained up to the end. The tourney is a single round-robin system and I surmise it will be UL, PhilCST, PAMMA and CdD in the semifinals. I hope I’m not wrong but as to who will fight for the championship, your speculation is as good as mine. Let’s wait and see.

And yes, many are wondering what will happen to UCAAP league with only three teams engaging each other? I said Without a doubt LNU Dukes will surely be the victor and knowing Gonz, he and the league will survive despite the whack. LNU will regain its prestigious image when the next PCCL (Philippine Collegiate Champions League) northern Luzon tournament to be hosted by LNU, and the Dukes run up to the national tournament which the league calls it “Sweet Sixteen.” They did it last year and the boys of head coach Gilmark Meneses are confident that it will be done anew this year. Siya nawa.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ROMANS 12: 2–3

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