Unspoiled by rain

Last Saturday night was special for two special people. Genevieve Fuentes, who now works in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) marketing group after years of being employed by the league’s TV franchisees, tied the knot with John Ogsimer at the Fernwood Gardens on Cenacle Drive in Quezon City.

Genevieve is fondly called Bebang along PBA row. It was a surprise to me that her real name is Genevieve. Bebang has a striking resemblance to Amalia–no, they’re not relatives. Fuentes is only Amalia Muhlach’s screen surname remember?

There were 10 pairs of principal sponsors. Sen. Nene Pimentel and Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando headed the cast. Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando and Justice Christina Estrada came next in the processionals. The other ninongs were sports luminaries–PBA commissioner Noli Eala, former PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino, Philippine Basketball League commissioner Chino Trinidad, lawyer and former sportscaster (now Department of Housing assistant secretary) Rado Dimalibot, Vintage Enterprises chairman Bobong Velez, San Miguel Beer coach Joseph Uichico and Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao. I also made it to the list.

Aside from Mayor Fernando and Justice Estrada, the ninangs were Elizabeth Motyka, Mila de Guzman, TV personality and PBA courtside reporter Chiqui Roa Puno, Cecilia Javier, Letty Abenojar, lawyer and Samboy’s wife Lelen Lim, Joyce Yanson and Jane Manacop.

The wedding ceremony was ecumenical since Bebang is Methodist and John is Catholic.

It was raining cats and dogs that night. The traffic was horrible on the way to Tandang Sora. My wife Menchu and I shuddered at the thought of the rains spoiling the garden wedding. But when we got to Fernwood Gardens, we realized why Bebang and John weren’t bothered by the downpour.

Believe it or not, the garden was roofed. Huge fans kept cool air circulating. The atmosphere was exquisite. There were plants and flowers all around. The setting was perfect. A waterfall gave it an added "outdoor" touch. I’d never been to Fernwood Gardens before. Now that I’ve seen it, I’d recommend the place to couples getting married, especially those who dream of a garden wedding during the rainy season.

After the wedding rites, the guests settled in to a sumptuous dinner. Then, Comish Noli, Chiqui and Lelen were asked to speak before the crowd. Comish Noli wished the couple a happy life together and said he’s looking forward to Bebang’s return to work. Chiqui said as John is a geologist, he has found the most precious gem of all–Bebang. And Lelen advised the couple to anticipate the ups and downs of married life but to stick it out through thick and thin because love conquers all. Samboy was all smiles as his wife spoke.

At our table of ninongs, the talk, of course, centered on the PBA, in particular that chaotic Talk ‘N’ Text-Red Bull game last Wednesday.

Comish Noli said he was informed that Talk ‘N’ Text will appeal the five-game suspension on interim coach Ariel Vanguardia. He will act on the appeal as soon as it is filed.

All agreed that what Talk ‘N’ Text did was not according to the rules. A basket can only be counted in the wrong goal if the shot is accidentally tipped or is made on an honest mistake such as when a player scores on the wrong side of the court off a jumpball, it was pointed out.

Comish Eala said it would’ve been more of a farce if Talk ‘N’ Text went for a goaltending call on Red Bull’s attempt to miss the technical free throw off the Phone Pals’ deliberate excessive timeout.

Guiao said if Talk ‘N’ Text succeeded in scoring for Red Bull, he would’ve instructed his players to score on the Phone Pals basket in retaliation. Can you imagine the comedy? Both Talk ‘N’ Text and Red Bull would’ve tried to score on the wrong basket to negate each other’s attempt to put points on the board for the opposite team.

But wait. Comish Eala said when Jojo Manalo and Felix Belano shot triples at Red Bull’s basket, Talk ‘N’ Text should’ve been whistled for an eight-second violation. The referees were obviously as confused as the fans so they missed the call.

It should never happen again, no matter what, the ninongs said in unison.

Also at the wedding were PBA marketing director Robbie Puno, TV analyst T. J. Manotoc and PBA radio’s Noel Zarate.

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The import cast for the coming PBA Third Conference is slowly shaping up. San Miguel Beer’s recruit Chris Clack of the University of Texas arrived yesterday morning. Purefoods’ import will likely be Harold Arceneaux of Weber State. Tender Juicy Hot Dogs coach Ryan Gregorio returns home Thursday after checking out hopefuls in a week-long camp in Los Angeles. Red Bull gave up on walk-ins Mustapha Hoff and Wayland White. Barako coach Yeng Guiao is now testing Ramel Lloyd of Long Beach State. Lloyd planed in the other day.

Sta. Lucia Realty import Nate James of Duke University seems to be the standout. In a team scrimmage recently, he elevated for a Jordanesque dunk–complete with hangtime–and left Marlou Aquino shaking his head in disbelief. Two other Dukies in town are Alaska’s Chris Carrawell and Barangay Ginebra’s Ricky Price.

Talk ‘N’ Text team manager Frankie Lim arrived from a brief scouting trip to the US last Saturday. The Phone Pals import is Damien Cantrell who lands here tomorrow.

Other imports are Shell’s Sedric Webber, Coca-Cola’s Artemus McClary and FedEx’ Darrin Hancock.