Sports Eye
LNU Dukes deserved to win
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
THE Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes’ first game against La Finns Scholastica Lion Hearts of La Union on December 2 went down the wire with Dukes prevailing, 82-74. Leading by 14 points after the first quarter (27-13), the determined and much-improved Dukes of head coach Nanoy Duque surprised the spectators (including this writer) during the second period to lead by 27 points (46-19), midway of the quarter but eventually cut to 14 at the half, 47-33. Surprising or not, the highly spirited Ilocanos changed the tempo in the third canto by outscoring the host, 23-14, all done in the perimeter range to trail by only seven marks, 63-56, end of the third, a manageable stalk.
Many observers said the fourth juncture could have been the ‘finishing kick’ of the visitors to grab the victory but the last ten minutes of play turned out to be an even match. Both teams evenly responded with baskets until the host sealed the victory by eight points to the cheers of the partisan crowd. In fact, the six-foot-two head coach of Lion Hearts Louie Aquino humbly admitted to this writer when I bumped into him inside a restaurant that his team lost the match after suffering a big deficit in the first half, and failed to recover since. I noted that as well. “Parang medyo malamya ang laro nila sa kalahati at atrasado na ang kanilang buong recovery sa huling dalawang yugto,” said a Dagupeno student Mar Lopez.
As PCCL executive director Joe Lipa predicted, the two title contenders showed up on on December 3 for the a ‘knockout match’ with Dukes having the edge, undefeated during the elims and semis while the Lion Hearts were in second slot. As expected, the second encounter was played differently but the result was the same – the Dukes won. The Tapuac-based Dukes managed by Atty. Gonzalo Duque never gave the Lion Hearts an opportunity to the take the driver’s seat in any quarter, 17-15, 47-34, 69-53 and finally 88-78. Guard-forwards league MVP Llyod Quisay and Roxar Melendez at the helm saw to that to capture the coveted PCCL North-Central Luzon crown held by Lyceum of Subic Bay.
The Dukes will represent the three regions (Region 1, Cordillera, Central Luzon) in the NCR-Southern Luzon matches in Tanuan, Batangas starting December 11. Hopefully, they can snatch one of the slots of PCCL’s “Sweet Sixteen” which I believe could be a tough assignment. But win or loss, I doff my hat to them. I’ve watched all their games in PRISAA and the UCAAP and I honestly believe that this season’s LNU Dukes are the best ever assembled and organized. To their credit, recall that when the Dukes, then coached by Angel Gumarang, bagged the first runner-up plum in the PRISAA National Games years back, they have since tried to keep its stature as a winning team.
Carry on the good work boys and may God bless you in all your coming and bigger endeavors. Your triumph will also be ours.
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My heartfelt congratulations to our Pangasinan young cyclists led by John Rey Buccat for finishing prominently in the just concluded Batang Pinoy Nationals Games by dominating the criterium race for 14-15 years old category, winning the gold while teammates Marvin Tabayan and Malone Canlas collected the silver and bronze, respectively; to Jose Manuel Valdivia for topping the Individual time trial event for boys under 13. I have no doubt they will soon be our future champions in the professional circle. My big thanks, too, to Cong. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Engrs. Rodolfo “Boy” Dion and Manny Arenas for donating the special ‘summit’ prizes of the November 29 Bugallon bikefest.
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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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