Sports Eye

By August 12, 2013Opinion, Sports Eye

The off-and-on Philippine quintet 
 

Jess Garcia

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.


 

FILIPINO sports enthusiasts are keenly following how far our Philippine basketball team called “Gilas Pilipinas” can go in the ongoing 2013 FIBA Asia Championship being held at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. From barbers to jeepney and tricycle drivers to vendors and even office executives whom I have talked to are hoping our Gilas will eventually grab one of the three tickets to represent the Asian continent in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, August 30-September 14 in Barcelona. Yes, if we’re lucky to finish in the top three, it will be our first time since 1974 to bang against the taller Americans, Europeans, Australians, Canadians, and Latinos, among others, in this James Naismith invented sport.

We won the 13th edition of FIBA Asia (formerly called ABC or Asian Basketball Confederation) held on December 28, 1985-January 5, 1986 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Philippine squad swept all their games that included powerhouses China, South Korea and Japan and the prize was a ticket to Spain for the 1986 World Basketball Championship. But unfortunately, the February 1986 EDSA revolution derailed the trip of our Philippine team. Our nationals, then supported by San Miguel Corp. Chairman Danding Cojuangco, was mentored by American Ron Jacobs. The team was composed of Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Pido Jarencio, Elmer Reyes, Franz Pumaren, Jerry Codinera, Tonichi Yturri, Yves Dignadice, Benjie Gutierrez and two naturalized players, Jeff Moore and Dennis Still.

The Philippines’ victory during the 1973 ABC, hosted by Manila, featured Robert Jaworski, our very own Orlando Bauzon of Calasiao, Danny Florencio, Freddie Webb, and Joy Cleofas, among others. It earned them a slot for the world championship in Puerto Rico. But that Puerto Rico jaunt as expected was a letdown for the Philippine team. They were no match to the big boys and more experienced Caucasians. We won the 2012 William Jones Cup in Taipei last year but our Gilas was not able to defend the title because of our differences with Taiwan arising from the shooting of their fisherman last May 9 off Batanes. Taiwan banned our Gilas from playing there. But note, except the Philippines, most of the delegations that participated were not their national teams but only their elite basketball clubs in each country like the USA, whom the Gilas defeated in the championship.

By the time you read this piece (I’m making it Friday), the 27th edition of FIBA Asia Championship might already be over or could still be in progress. Let’s hope our Philippine team will win at least the second runner-up plum if not the title. With our home court advantage and the cheering crowd of our countrymen, we can do it.

On the local front, the UCAAP cagefest, which was originally scheduled to open last July 31 and was reset to August 7, was reset anew to August 22. LNU Dukes coach Jorge Ceralde confirmed that the tourney has attracted only four institutions to participate, but these are big in names in Pangasinan tertiary basketball tiff like UPang-Phinma, UL and PAMMA. The venue will be the Dagupan People’s Astrodome and most likely the guest of honor and speaker will be Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, and the opening ceremony will start at 11:00 a.m. Be there.

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My sincerest greetings to the five police chiefs of the 4th District of Pangasinan for winning the 2013 COP Challenge Cup held last July 31 at the PPO Firing Range in Lingayen. Headed by Supt. Policarpio Cayabyab of Mangaldan, the other members are Supt. Crisanto Abrahano, Chief Insp. Herminigildo Pablico and Rolly Sacyat of Manaoag and San Fabian, respectively, and Sr. Insp. Gilbert Ferrer of San Jacinto. Mabuhay po kayo.

In chess, Pangasinan Chess League president Don Juan Sison and Hermano Chess Club honcho Allen Garcia extend their appreciation to Board Member Ranjit Ramos Shahani for helping the two associations in their Pangasinan chess endeavours. To you guys, keep up developing our young ones in wood-pushing. They’re our hope, like what our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal once said. I agree. 
 


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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9: 6

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