Bataoil’s sports advocacy

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

FOR two consecutive years now, the third leg of the 8th Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament was held in Lingayen. The second edition was conducted last August 13 and 14, which was initiated anew and principally sponsored by 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil. Unlike last year which was staged at Marcelo Beach Resort, this time it was done at the Capitol Beach Front and was participated in by different private schools from Manila like Ateneo de Manila University, University of the East, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Far Eastern University as well as local bets including from the University of Luzon, Lingayen and Labrador.

I was not there during the opening rites but I watched the semifinal and final matches, where the FEU Team A composed of Shairah Gonzales and Shedd dela Pena dethroned defending champions Jennifer Manzano and Satchel Senupe of DLSUD in three sets. (See related story on this page). The five-foot-eleven Manzano from Lingayen teamed with April Almaden last year when they won the crown.

I was not able to ask her why her former teammate Almaden was absent this year. I am guessing she already graduated from college (or there could be another reason).

I had chitchat with Bataoil after the awarding and closing ceremonies, which he and tournament chief coordinator Tisha Abundo led. The sports-minded lawmaker said he’ll continue his sports advocacy by holding and sponsoring various events like beach or indoor volleyball, basketball, cycling, marathon, and chess, to name a few, especially in the second district to help Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. promote sports in our province and boost tourism in Lingayen, his native town. He also said that cycling races in his district’s town fiestas will also be done and the first one after the rainy season will be during the town fiesta of Bugallon on November 28. Of course, that’s with the approval of Mayor Ricardo Urdona.

I sense that he wants to show his constituents, especially the young ones, that the past sports projects that he organized and sponsored since 2007 were not politically motivated. His aim has always been to help develop the youth by getting involved in sports, instead of drugs that is much affecting our society.

I already directed six races under his sponsorship and the last one was held last January 31 during Mangatarem’s town fiesta. He said there will be more to come as long as he’s a public servant in the country. Remember, he organized marathon races too when he was still the PNP director and the famous one was held at Subic Bay last year.

Bataoil also pointed out that without the help of some companies like Petron, Fern-Slim, Speedo, Victory Liner, Mikasa, Tanduay and Coca-Cola, the annual event would have not been held successfully.

* * * *

The first game of the 2010 PRISAA-UCAAP Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championship quarterfinals held last Monday at Dagupan People’s Astrodome was the most exciting and heartbreaking match that the league produced this year. The league’s leading and defending champion squad the Lyceum Northwestern University (7-1 win-loss card) was almost thrown off balance by AIE-C, the tail-ender team (2-6) in the tourney. (See related story on this page)

As the Filipino saying goes: “Ang bola ay bilog.” If not for that successful nail-biting three-point shot by Leonel Manalo in the last two seconds of the match, LNU could have suffered its worst and second stunning defeat against a lowly-rated foe. Their only loss was against Colegio de Dagupan on July 26, losing by four points, 77-73.

My observation is that LNU is tough if their opponent is strong.  And weak if the enemy is weedy.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments