Pangasinan’s formidable quintet

 

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

AFTER the very successful staging of the First Pangasinan Inter-Towns/Cities Basketball Tournament   that was participated by 35 towns and three cities of our province, Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino, lll and the Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council led by Modesto Operania immediately organized a formidable Pangasinan hoop squad to compete in regional and national amateur events.

The team’s first mission will be the National Inter-Province Basketball Championship that will be held next year. The team was organized taking into account the individual player’s skill and  in all angles of play, cohesiveness as a team and most of all discipline displayed during the three months hostilities  won by the boys of Binmaley Mayor Sammy Rosario.

Since the formation of our Pangasinan squad composed of Joemar Ordona of Manaoag, Garnet Asuncion of Sto. Tomas,  Marvin Mamaril of Lingayen, the Melendez brothers Roxar and Mark of Binmaley, Nico Celino of Alaminos City, Chuck Barcelona, Ismael Sarmiento, Manny Santos, to name some, our province quintet so far all won their six consecutive goodwill games against University of Cordillera (UC),104-89, held in Baguio City, Angeles University Foundation (AUF), 87-82, played in Angeles City, against the taller Bulacan team (96-91) hosted by Malolos City, the UCAAP champions Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Dukes and twice against the University of Luzon (UL) Golden Tigers both conducted here in Dagupan City.

Without a doubt, Operania, his reliable assistant Marlon Domalanta, the team’s two mentors former PBA players Christian Calaguio and Jun Marzan has formed a formidable  team as evidenced by  winning all their six straight tune-up matches convincingly, losing only to AUF and the Bulacan squad.

I managed to watch the team play against  UL last October 11 at Dagupan People’s Astrodome. It was a tough game in the first three quarters with Pangasinan at the front in the first two periods, 21-19, 38-37. UL grabbed the third canto with two marks, 57-55, and eventually 81-68 for the Pangasinan team with Ordona at the helm pumping in 12 points in the final period alone of his total 21. Surprisingly, the reliable Melendez siblings were no show. I don’t know why.

As of this writing (October 12), our Pangasinan boys are set to do battle against the PMAers in Baguio City. With or without the Melendez brothers, I believe our local quintet will win again.

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Due to the very successful staging of the First Pangasinan Inter-Towns/Cities Basketball Tournament, Guv Pogi has shown inclination to hold the second edition and ready to start it in November, right after the finals of the First Pangasinan Inter-Agency Basketball Championship which is now on the quarterfinals. According to Operania, there are already 35 towns that confirmed their participation led by by defending champion Binmaley and runners-up Manaoag, Urdaneta and Alaminos.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous all together. PSALMS 19: 7-9

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