Dagupan’s college caging complications

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

DESPITE the  sudden withdrawal of title-contender, the surging Philippine Colleges of Science and Technology, from the UCAAP cagefest, the tourney still managed to finish last October 14 albeit anti-climactic. As expected, defending champions Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes easily defeated substitute finalist AIE-College Green Archers, 101-60.

So now, the boys of head coach Gilmark Meneses are readying themselves to meet our region’s other best, i.e.,  La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte squads,  next month for the privilege to go up  against the cream of the crop of CAR and Central Luzon. Yes, Meneses is confident they can hurdle their next three regional assignments like what they did last year en route to bag one of the sixteen slots in the national tournament, “Philippine Collegiate Champions League” scheduled early next year.  We should wish them the best of luck. Always remember, they’re our flag carrier in this annual prestigious PCCL tiff.

After UCAAPs frustrating end, PRISAA appeared to be going in the same direction but in another level. The tournament just ended last week with defending champion and multi-titled University of Luzon (UL) Golden Tigers topping the single round-robin format and PhilCST landing second. The two title-protagonists were supposed to start their best-of-three series on October 21 but it was called off for the time reportedly due to some “technical internal problems” that need to be addressed first as requested by UL, Colegio de Dagupan (CdD) and Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy (PAMMA) –  status of PhilCST’s player, Jhon Mel Salazar Mendoza.

When I attended their first meeting last week held at PRISAA’s headquarter at PAMMA edifice, a certified document that PhilCST submitted to PRISAA showed that Mendoza was enrolled in this year’s PRISAA tournament only on September 29! His engagement as a player is a clear technical violation of PRISAA’s rules, according to the three team coaches Byron Vidal of UL, Julius Puzon of PAMMA and Angel Gumarang of CdD. (Absent was AIE-College representative) The problem was not solved so the involved parties agreed to have a second meeting on October 21 at the same place.  This means the championship can only resume on the first day of second semester, or November 14. League commissioner Manny Gatchalian agreed.

But who will be fighting for the championship crown in case PhilCST is found guilty of violating a rule?  In that situation, CdD and PAMMA will have to face for each other in a knockout match and whoever wins will be pitted against UL for the title.

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My heartfelt condolence to the family of Engr. Joey Y. Aquino of barangay Bari, Mangaldan, who passed away due to lingering illness. Engr. Aquino during his heydays formed a dreaded Mangaldan basketball squad ten years ago in the name of his company called “Jharsel Builders” and a contributor to my cycling project, the defunct Mangaldan bikefest “Werweran ed Mangaldan.” May he rest in peace.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Therefore know that the Lord your God; He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and Keep His commandments; And He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.” DEUTERONOMY 7: 9-10

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