PRISAA cagefest ’07 and Gonz

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

TO HOLD a big sports activity is no joke. Organizers, supporters, coaches anticipate woes, ataxia, and intrigues before, during and even after the tournament. This happened to me many times before and until now as an organizer of sporting events not only in cycling but also in basketball and table tennis.

And this also happened during the preparations of this year’s PRISAA (Private Schools Athletic Association) Pangasinan-Dagupan Inter-Collegiate Basketball Invitational Championship. It is common to encounter some challenging predicaments, particularly with regard to the referees and table officials who are, most of the time, the roots of controversies. Of course, it’s also anticipated that these problems will be solved in the end. That’s exactly what occurred during the organizers’ meetings everything was patched up and their boys are ready for the hard court battle.

Two thumbs up for these gentlemen.

I’m expecting a heavy turnout of spectators during the opening of this year’s PRISAA tourney dubbed this time as “Mayor Al’s Cup” slated to open at 8:a.m. on July 26 at the Dagupan People’s Astrodome. That is if the nine schools involved in this joust excuse their students and allow them to watch the games like what happened in the previous years. The annual hoopfest for tertiary students, which is on its 17th year, was originally  scheduled July 25 but was moved a day due to unavailability of the venue, according to Art Tangco, the chief organizer  and president of the Metro Dagupan Colleges chapter.

Spearheading the cast is the reigning titlist, the University of Luzon Golden Tigers, title contenders and 2005 champions University of Pangasinan Webczars, Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes and dark horse Asian Institute of E-Commerce Eagles.

The league’s commissioner, Edil Abalos, said during their last meeting held Friday and which I attended – teams of PIMSAT, Colegio de Dagupan, AMA Computer, PAMMA and guest entry PSU are also set to join the games.

“This is our league so we have to unite, cooperate for the success of everybody,” Abalos said.

Tangco also said Dagupan Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. will be the guest of honor and speaker while CHED Region 1 Director Dr. Evelyn L. Pascua will give an inspirational talk.

Of course, these two-month long hostilities will not be done without the able support of Atty. Gonzalo Duque, the Region 1 PRISAA president and co-chairman of national PRISAA.

Duque, a doctor of law, is now being groomed to head our region in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the official national governing of basketball. Sports leaders and enthusiasts in the province led by Mayor Al, Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, Bonuan Gueset Kgd. Angel Gumarang, Philamer Celi, Tangco, this piece-maker, media colleagues Jun Velasco and my kumpadre Al Mendoza are endorsing Gonz to take the position. I hope SBP president Manny Pangilinan and SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio will heed our voices to pick the sports-minded Gonz to lead our region in amateur basketball.

When I talked to Gonz last Monday, he said he is very willing to accept the position if given the chance. He also said he is contemplating a plan for Pangasinan to host anew the PRISAA National Games comes in 2009.

We will never forget that Gonz was instrumental in making Pangasinan host the national PRISAA last year held at Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen. Our region landed fourth out of 15 regions in medal harvest standings, our best place since PRISAA was born.

We have retained that position this year.

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

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