By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

WATCH out for the Alcala, UL, Asingan, PAMMA teams!

Alcala quintet that topped the elimination round in the Eastern Conference with unblemished record of six wins sans loss proved their worth anew by repulsing the host and unbeaten Western Conference elimination round champ, San Carlos City Archers, 97-90, in the first game of the double-header knockout quarterfinal tiffs held at San Carlos City St. Charles Academy gym last November 12.

The Alcala five victory enabled them to enter the semifinal knockout games of the province-wide cagefest dubbed as “Excellent Noodles Cup DBL Pangasinan Inter-Town/City/School U18 Basketball Tournament 2022” against second game winner of the day, the Arya Asenso Asingan team that scored a hard-earned 76-71 conquest over the Lingayen five.

Yes, I was there and watched the two rain-marred skirmishes that saw the first match paused for two hours to allow for the wet floor caused by the big rainfall to dry. Luckily, no untoward incident occurred up to the second game. Our big thanks to all the people concerned especially the gym’s caretakers who diligently mopped the entire floor so the games can continue.

According to the league’s top honcho Dr. Edil Abalos, the saga of Alcala and Asingan will continue when they clash anew, in the semis knockout match on November 19, to be played this time at a neutral place, the Binmaley Catholic School gym. Basketball, being my third favorite sport after cycling and boxing, yes I’ll be there again to watch the two crucial matches.

Abalos said, the well-rested and Pangasinan’s multi-titled Dagupan City based University of Luzon Golden Cubs of erstwhile Dagupan City dad Chito Samson under the mentorship of Gilmark Meneses, will clash anew with Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy (PAMMA) at 8:00 a.m. Remember, UL clamped on PAMMA during their qualifying round meeting,  99-76. UL was the first team to enter the semis while PAMMA pierced the semis via the quotient system of the league.

The second game will be between Alcala and Asingan. The two lucky winners of the semis will clash for the coveted tiara in the best-of-three series and most likely to be conducted again at Binmaley Catholic  School gym starting on November 20.  Second game will be on November 25 to be hosted by Dagupan City’s Peoples Astrodome. If a third game will ever happen, venue and date is still unknown. And by the time you read this piece, the semis and the first game of the championship were already done. See you there.

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The world’s deadly disease called “Covid 19” is gradually fading out, according to Department of Health (DOH). This is the reason why national sports activities like the PBA, Tour of Matabungkay (cycling in Batangas), National Open Championships, to name some, have already resumed.

This is also one the reasons why I’m pushing for the annual bikefest to celebrate my birthday this coming December 18, to be sponsored anew by Excellent Noodles of Mr. Alex Billan. Happening too, on December 28 during the the town festival of Urbiztondo will be the “First Mayor’s Cup Urbiztondo Cycling Classic 2022.” The bikefest is the first sports project of the town’s new chief executive Mr. Modesto Operania, my former sports boss in the provincial government. The same is expected to happen in Lingayen on January 8 under the auspices of reelected Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil. Details of these races on December issue.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.  1 JOHN 1: 8-10

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