Lopsided win

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. 

 

THE anticipated close match between the LNU Dukes and UPang-PHINMA Flames in the championship games proved to be a mismatch. The raging Dukes of Atty. Gonzalo Duque showed once more to us basketball buffs that they are indisputably superior and supreme in college caging in Dagupan and Pangasinan. The Tapuac-based Dukes smothered the Arellano-quartered Flames twice in-a-row in the championship last Sept. 25 and 26 to win the UCAAP crown, their first passageway to the Philippine Colleges Champions League (PCCL) national games. Dukes head coach Angel Gumarang said their latest victory was a ticket for them to Vigan City to face the Ilocano regional champion. “My boys trained hard for this tourney and we did our utmost to win the crown because we don’t want to be humiliated being the silver medalist in this year’s National PRISAA Games,” Gumarang contentedly said. “Our next encounter will be in Vigan City on the first week of November to face the Ilocano champion. If lucky enough we’ll tangle against the Cordillera regional champion in Baguio City and if fortunate again to clash with the Central Luzon titlist before going to Manila to battle against stiffer opponents before reaching the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ method of games of PCCL. My big thanks to the all-out support of Atty. Duque and, of course, first and foremost to our determined boys,” Gumarang said.

I watched the whole series up to the last day of the competition when the Dukes completely swept their six assignments in a convincing fashion except their second game against the UL Tigers (Sept. 18), winning by just a mere point, 100-99. But what surprised me were the lopsided defeats of the Flames in the finals, losing by 22 points in the first game, 89-67, and 27 in the second match, 87-60, which is very unusual for them being a Region 1champion in the 2011 PRISAA. This was also the first time that I saw such a big margin difference in in college caging championship. The Flames were outran, outrebounded, outgunned, outclassed and never tasted a lead in any of the eight quarters of the two games. When the Dukes took the lead in the first quarter in double digits, the Flames could not reduce it to a single figure and eventually yielded to more than 20 points. “It’s a mismatch,” spectator Joefer Cendana said.

According to Atty. Duque, the championship match was marred by a protest letter after the first game with the claim that Dukes veteran forward Alexander Andrade, Jr. is enrolled into two institutions while 16 year-old center Julius Tiburcio is underage. But the league’s commissioner, Cris Calaguio rejected the protest saying that the cagers being questioned are legitimate players because the maiden league is still silent about the claimed rule and so no rule was breached by the Dukes. “UPang head coach Jay Ronquillo knew that his team cannot win the championship and so what he did now is to try to win the title through papers but without logical reasons or outside the rules,” fumed Duque, the president of LNU. “His complete team did not even attend the awarding ceremony after the game to receive their trophy and the medal for his ward Jioni Laca being chosen as a member of ‘Mythical Five’,” echoed Gumarang.

Yes, that’s true. I, too, was surprised that not a single member of the Flames, (even a proxy) was there to receive the award. To me that’s unprofessional and an unsportsmanlike. That should not have happened, especially they’re the host and play for a well-respected institution. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Dukes bench tactician Jorge Ceralde cited prophet Paul’s message to the Philippians: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Ceralde, a Bible reader like me, thanks God for their victory and also gives credit to the management support from Gonz and Nanoy, the coaching staff and team fans.

“Cohesion, fortitude, perseverance, discipline and hardwork are also the contributors of our victory,” echoed assistant coach Gilmark Meneses. “Gaya ng Pilipinong kasabihan “Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga,” Meneses believed.

Few hours after the game, a traditional celebration ensued. It was hik, hik, hik time.

*          *          *          *

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. PHILIPPIANS 3: 2-3

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments