Sports Eye
Results of Groups A and B quarterfinals
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
THE Groups A and B
quarterfinals of the 3rd Governor’s Cup Inter-Town/City Basketball
Tournament organized by Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino, III ended last March 17 with
a big bang. Seven teams were ousted and eight teams are still alive for the
next round.
Unexpectedly, the first to take the boot was perennial title-challenger and
last year third runner-up Alaminos City, after it succumbed to an underdog but
firmly motivated Bautista team, 70-65. Bautista which lost its first three
games, 86-90, 82-121, 95-101, to Malasiqui, Manaoag and Sual, respectively, was
on the brink of being eliminated in group B quarterfinals but swept all its
last three games by nipping Mangatarem, 98-96, winner by default over Asingan,
20-0, and finally edging Alaminos by five points. Yes, Bautista’s string of
victories forced a deadlock with Alaminos who both carded a 3-4 win-loss marks.
Based on the
win-over-the-other FIBA rule which was clearly explained by the league’s
commissioner Dr. Edilberto Abalos to all team coaches and managers during their
last meeting before the skirmishes, the impasse was easily resolved according
to Marlon Domalanta, the deputy executive officer of the Pangasinan Sports
Development and Management Council (PDSMC). Eliminated in group B were the
teams of Malasiqui (2-5), Mangatarem (2-5), and Asingan (0-7). Better luck next
time guys and see you again in the fourth season.
Group A also had a bit surprise result. Second running Urdaneta City won for the
first time over defending champion Lingayen, 89-84, on March 16 at Tayug gym.
The Urdaneta boys of head coach Rizaldy Garcia bagged the group A pennant with
Lingayen in second place. Tayug, Bayambang and Mangaldan equally recorded three
wins with three losses. The three-way tie was also solved thru the FIBA
quotient system and Tayug got the upper hand landing third overall and
Bayambang earned the fourth and last berth to enter the next round group of
eight teams.
Mangaldan played gallantly
and massacred Calasiao, 74-50, but not enough to land in the ‘magic four’ of
group A. Mangaldan won over Tayug by just three points, 89-86, but Mangaldan
lost to Bayambang by eight marks,102-110, and while Tayug defeated Bayambang by eight points,
99-91. The score parameters clearly counted a lot.
At presstime, latest report I received
from Henry Escleto of PSDMC office said the next round will all be held at
NRSCC gym on March 23. Undefeated (so far) Manaoag will tanglewith Bautista at
9:00 a.m., Urdaneta to meet Bayambang at 10:30 a.m., Sual vs Tayug at 12:00
p.m. and Lingayen against Tayug at 1:30 p.m. Sual, Tayug and Bayambang are
first timers in this magic group of eight squads. Urdaneta, Lingayen, Manaoag
and Sual will enjoy the twice-to-beat advantage against their respective foes
for placing first and second in their respective group quarterfinals. In case
anyone of them loses their match, there will be second and final encounter the
following day (March 24) also at NRSCC gym.
See you there.
* * * *
“It’s better late than never,” as the saying goes. I’m taking take this opportunity to extend my big gratitude to the University of Pangasinan Association of Communication Students for selecting and awarding me (twice in-a-row) as the Best Sports Reporter of our province. Dubbed as “3rd Annual ANINAW Media Awards,” the presentation ceremony was held last March 7 at Binmaley Manpower Development Center. My big kudos to my co-awardees.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says the Lord of hosts,“ I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart. MALACHI 2: 1-2
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