We grew up in the probinsya and continue to live away from the lights and noise of the city. And part of growing up were the summers where sports took a different twist and became the main event of the broiling heat. Somewhere along the way, we have to admit that we somehow missed out on all the fun that this brought, but we’ve had this perfect opportunity to check it out once again this summer, thus reliving our younger days (yes, we’re getting old, aren’t we?).
Summers before always featured big sports events as the main attraction of towns and barangays. The main event was always basketball, featuring a mix of youth and veterans. There would also be fun runs, boxing and volleyball. And after missing the fun for awhile, we had the chance to enjoy it all over again. In our town of Liloan, we had the chance to watch games of the ongoing inter-barangay/club summer league for basketball featuring three divisions: Midget for Under 15, Juniors of Under 18 and a Seniors division. While the level of play isn’t anywhere near that of the CESAFI or commercial leagues, the over-all atmosphere is the total opposite. It’s electric. The venue is packed and the sound/noise inside is pretty loud. And we’re talking about an ordinary elimination round game. This isn’t even the playoffs yet. The league resembles the real thing in its own little way. Each team has its own set of players and coaching staff, complete with utility men. The teams proudly carry the name of their “corporate” sponsors, usually a local businessman or establishment. The fans fill up the gym, supporting their local heroes and idols who also happen to be their neighbors. Games of the “older” Juniors and Seniors divisions usually start at 7:30 in the evening, just when the town has had its dinner already. The second game usually starts around past nine and ends around 11:00 in the evening. I can still remember hearing that this was an age old practice from way back. Activities like these should start after a town has had dinner, thus the relatively late start that has always been the norm. That’s just the way it is.
Another interesting activity is the ongoing Red Durano Congressional Cup of the fifth district of which Liloan is part. It’s a home and away league that features the youth teams of the district’s towns. The opening ceremony was held in Carmen this past week and drew a large hometown crowd cheering for the Carmen side. Again, this isn’t exactly the CESAFI, CYBL or Milo BEST, but the crowd was surely larger than any I’ve seen in the city-based leagues. The place was loud with cheering and yelling, something we miss in the city. The entrance fee: a whopping five pesos! Sulit! The games moved to Liloan last night and Borbon tonight, giving us a feel of a travelling pro or commercial team/league, albeit without the fanfare, hype and media coverage. The north has produced some of CESAFI’s top players including UV’s Paul Desiderio, CIT-U’s Allan Dimco and the SWU group of Eleazar Armecin, Eliud Poligrates, Eric Zanoria and company. Remember the Tuadles brothers Arnie and Calvin? They also came from the north. Thus, we can’t say that there aren’t any talents here. Truly, it’s more fun.
Boxing always has a main event in every fight card, and last week, we saw boxing go back to become a main event outside the confines of the Waterfront Hotel or Hoops Dome. The event? “Kadaugan sa Mactan” in Barangay Mactan. It was an open to the public event that drew the practically entire barangay: young and old. The welcome bonus was that seven of the eight fights were excellent, capped by a slambang of a championship fight between Marco Demecillo Singwangcha and Marvin Mabait. Demecillo Singwangcha recovered from a first round knockdown to knock Mabait out in the third round to win the Philippine superflyweight championship. The barangay gym is nowhere near the size of the Hoops Dome, but I’m pretty sure Councillor Harry Radaza would’ve been impressed with all the noise that the fights created. This wasn’t a neighbourhood disco party or a concert, but it was loud. Everyone was on their feet, not because there weren’t enough chairs, but to get a better view of the action on top of the ring. When all was done, everyone went home satisfied with their featured entertainment for the day.
This all brings us back to the city. I’m willing to bet that the crowds in the probinsya are larger than that which we see in the city. Will local organizers consider playing elsewhere instead of venues filled with empty chairs and shadows?
Sports: truly more fun in the probinsya.
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Time-out: The Milo-sponsored BEST basketball clinic will be held May 14-19, 2012, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Avenue Campus Gym. For info, contact 583-7196, 0908-895-2933 or 0923-342-8193. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.