Lopsided wins in UCAAP cagefest

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

LIKE what I’ve always done in the last five years, I attended the opening of the UCAAP (Universities Colleges Athletic Association of Pangasinan) last week. Basketball is my third much-loved sport and used to play this game a lot during my younger days. Science says basketball improves your leg muscles, develops your stamina and improves your breathing. Pundits say it’s one of the best exercises that a fellow can do in life. No doubt about it., I still play at my age though minimally and I watch NBA, PBA, NCAA and UAAP on TV whenever I can.  Watching UCAAP games is also in my system, and that’s why I had to be at the opening games last Tuesday (Sept. 6) held at Dr. Salvador T. Duque Fieldhouse (LNU gym).

The opening that was supposed to start at 1:00 p.m. was delayed by an hour due to power outage. Pangasinan dignitary politicians headed by the province’ chief executive Amado “Pogi” Espino, lll and Dagupan City hizzoner Belen Fernandez were there as special guests and gave inspirational speeches to the crowd, especially the students about their academics and the importance of sports.

The first match between defending champions Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Dukes and AIE College Green Eagles earlier believed to be a close game turned to be lopsided in favor of the Tapuac-based Dukes. After the first half with the Dukes leading by a big margin of 31 points (61-29), spectators were noticeably seen exiting know how the game would end, it being a mismatch between the two teams. The same story was told in the second match, PhilCST mercilessly battered PIMSAT. (See related story on this page).

“The games were so lopsided and boring.” said former LNU head coach Angel Gumarang who did not waste time to watch the second game  to its end. His fearless forecast: the championship will be a toss between PhilCST and LNU. I agree. That’s my fearless forecast too, with the absence (now) of UPang-PHINMA Flames, the perennial title-contender. Some insiders said Flames basketball team was already dissolved but a UCAAP official told this writer on condition of anonymity the 2005 titlist just took a ‘leave of absence.’

But with or without Flames and sans other collegiate teams like University of Luzon, Colegio de Dagupan and PAMMA, UCAAP will move on. It aims to reach the Philippine Collegiate Championship League (PCCL) ladder in region 1 and central Luzon tournaments, and if luck, it can be take one slot of the “Sweet Sixteen” as called by PCCL.  UCAAP champs Dukes, already did that last year but not lucky enough to reach the quarterfinals of the national tournament. It was the first time after five tries for the Dukes but they were happy enough to reach the country’s top sixteen teams.
Let’s continue to watch before we weigh in on the UCAAP tourney this season.  Let’s see who eventually will be our contingent to the region and figure out our chances to battle the best-of-the-best in the national competitions. I know it’s a long and rough road to travel but I believe it’s achievable. I was faced with the same challenges in the past but perseverance and confidence prevailed and of course, with the help of our Creator.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. COLOSSIANS 1: 14-15

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