To be or not to be

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE 2011 UCAAP-PRISAA Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championship is scheduled to commence this coming July 25 at the Dagupan People’s Astrodome. Unlike in the last three years where the league was successfully directed by Angel C. Gumarang as the commissioner, the tourney this year will have a different commissioner. Gumarang is quitting his post after he was hired by Atty. Gonzalo T. Duque to steer his Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Dukes, replacing Jason Vinluan.

There were names that cropped up supposedly seeking to replace Gumarang, and honestly I was one of them and I officially applied for it. The others mentioned by my partner Phil Celi were skilled referees Jun Amdao and Conde Padillo, and my tukayo Jess Orpilla, a former dribbler of the University of Luzon (UL) Golden Tigers. Celi said the new commissioner will be officially appointed by the newly-elected president of the UCAAP-PRISAA Metro Dagupan Chapter, which is no other than Duque. The decision will be made on July 7 at LNU during the chapter’s meeting to discuss the tournament. I don’t know what’s in the mind of the chapter’s new president, but I know he will pick the best man.

Meanwhile, I continue to hear gripes and intrigues from some people who want to discredit me. They are putting doubts on my ability to direct a tertiary level of hostilities, and making it appear that my expertise only lies in cycling activities. I believe that these people only know my cycling credentials as a former rider and a race organizer and don’t really know my deep involvement in sports having served in various capacities like being the provincial sports coordinator twice during the time of former governors Aguedo F. Agbayani (1977-1979) and Oscar M. Orbos (1995-1998), aside from being the commissioner of the defunct MBA’s Pangasinan Presidents/Waves and my vast experience in Guam as the tournament director of the Filipino basketball league there and also leagues in my town Mangaldan.

But it’s okay if I do not get chosen to lead this year’s event. To win and to lose is a part of life. It’s all in the hands of Gonz. I have full confidence in him. “To be or not to be” is all I can say for now.

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Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Teddy Casino visited Bayambang and Dagupan City last Thursday and I’m glad to find out during the Media in Action forum held at Pedrito’s restaurant that the young and bright lawmaker is also fond of sports like swimming, running and badminton, which he said are his favorite sports. No wonder the guy from Laguna has a slim figure, unlike the majority of his comrades in Congress. I believe he will run for the senate in the 2013 election. Let’s wait and see.

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My big thanks to my two friends, Engr. Rodolfo Dion and 1st District Board Member Teofilo Humilde, Jr., for donating the summit sprint prizes in the First Stradcom Cycling Cup held June 19. These two sports-minded Pangasinenses are always ready to help our poor cyclists by giving some incentive prizes in racing events. Mabuhay po kayo mga ginoo at maraming salamat po.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 PETER: 5-6

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