Kudos

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

It was one unique and exceptional basketball event that was played last February 13 at the University of Pangasinan (UPang) gymnasium. The UPang players in the 70’s to 90’s, then popularly known as the Greyhounds, battled the current squad named the Webczars.

         The project, dubbed as the “All Time Battle of Champions, a Reunion of UPang’s Basketball Dynasty,” in conjunction with the celebration of the school’s 82nd founding anniversary. It was conceptualized and organized by Webczars head coach Angel Gumarang, the former main steersman of our PRISAA Region 1 quintet that landed fourth in the 2005 national games, our best so far in the annual tourney.

         Gumarang was assisted by ex-Greyhounds slotman Jack Padilla to make the unique occasion exemplary, particularly after the court skirmishes that ended at Silverio’s restaurant.

         I was there and saw how the 80’s quintet edged the 70’s five, 68-64. Their faces are so familiar to me because they are my sports contemporaries. I perennially watched their battles here and against the big guns in the region and how they used to dominate the annual Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) games with Ruben Urbano and the late Amadeo Bautista at the helm. It’s a sad thing their chief tactician “Papa” George Monje expired early. They said they missed the guy who steered them to bag multiple diadems for their school, the city and the province.

         As expected, the young Webczars, with three-point specialist and spitfire Albert Carcha leading the charge, repulsed the hefty and durable 90’s squad, 59-46, despite the presence of ex-MBA dribblers Mario Arenas, Noel Abubo and Rodel Cortez.

         In spite of the skills and height advantage of the veterans, they proved no-match to the agility, reflexes and accuracy of the well-trained Webczars.

         To all the Greyhounds and the Webczars players and the organizers, I doff my hat to you, and more power. It’s nice to meet you again (the 70’s and 80’s) after almost four decades.

 

*****

         Kudos also to Mr. and Mrs. Benjoe Tirente of Phoenix Table Tennis Foundation for the successful holding of the “Pangasinan II Table Tennis Seminar and Workshop” at the Macario Ydia Development Center in Mangaldan last February 17-18.

         Being a table tennis fanatic then and now, I did not think twice about participating in the very rare affair because I wanted to supplement my knowledge in this sport, more popularly known to many as “Pingpong”. It is one of my favorite sports and until now I still play this game.

         The two-day occasion with no entry fee was facilitated by former RP national player and University of the Philippines Professor Oscar Yoshihiro Santilices and his wards, and sponsored by George JT Sanchez of North Hollywood Table Tennis Club, Los Angeles, California in cooperation with the municipality of Mangaldan headed by Mayor Herminio A. Romero.

         Cheers also to Johnny Magno, Romeo Manaois and Ernesto de Vera for the successful staging of the First Mangaldan Lawn Volleyball Championship at the town plaza’s grassy field and sponsored by Mangaldan’s LGU under the leadership of Mayor Romero and the Sangguniang Bayan members.

         And despite the obstacles and agonies the organizers are encountering in preparation for this year’s edition of the Mangaldan bikefest, I will extend my congratulations to the people who are putting the event together, namely:  Pete de Vera, Johnny Valencia, Dr. Butch Ydia, Jazy Garcia and the town’s chief executive Romero.

         Dubbed this year as “Werweran XIV,” it will unfurl today and will be run in three categories with Philippine cycling superstars expected to participate.

         The three sporting events that I mentioned here are all in conjunction with the celebration of the fiesta of my town, Mangaldan.

         See you in Mangaldan today!

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/)

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