Hoops fever in Davao

Basketball is the centerpiece sport in the week-long celebration of Davao City’s charter anniversary on March 10-16 with Judge Jaime Quitain the prime mover of a series of games scheduled to start 2 p.m. at the Almendras Gym today.

The first game pits the University of Mindanao (UM) legends piloted by Roy Rubi and Poypoy Madrazo against the Davao All-Stars of playing coach Cadel Mosqueda, a PBA veteran. The second game features coach Manny Nitorreda’s Davao Collegiate All-Stars against owner Armand Sanano’s champion club Sanman. Squaring off in the main event are Powerade’s PBA “B” squad and the Davao Sports Hall of Fame All-Stars.

Quitain said the three-game bill is a dream come true. He cited the support of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and her father Vice Mayor Rudy in making the “Games for a Cause” possible. Quitain also expressed gratitude to PBA governor J. B. Baylon of Powerade, Councilor Ed Ibuyan, Board Member Eric Rabat, Councilor Biboy Gavina of Panabo City and former La Salle cager Dante Sapalo for their efforts in realizing the project which is a fund-raiser for the benefit of Davao athletes.

Fans can’t wait to witness the clash between Powerade and the Hall of Fame All-Stars. Quitain promised a serious battle for prestige. Playing coach Kenneth Duremdes, the 1998 PBA MVP, heads the Tigers cast. Others in the lineup are Dale Singson, Rodney (The Slasher) Santos, Cesar Catli, Paolo Mendoza, Gerard Francisco, Eddie Laure, Ronjay Enrile, Neil Caceres and Francis Allera – all PBA veterans. They’re out to defend their honor as ex-pros.

The Hall of Fame All-Stars can’t be taken lightly. Two tryouts were held before coach Max Abrina finalized the lineup made up of PBA veterans Alvin (Robocop) Teng, Mosqueda, Dindo Pastor, Teroy Albarillo, Jomer Rubi, Rey Perez and Henry Fernandez, MBA veterans Mike Maniego (Cebu Gems), Edwin Manabat (Batangas Blades) and Jojit Duremdes (Batangas Blades) and former varsity standouts Al Josol (FEU), Gilbert Good (St. Benilde) and Kris Robles (St. Benilde). Quitain said Albarillo, who lives in Cebu, excitedly answered the call to come home and reunite with his PBA buddies. Abrina will be assisted on the bench by Nitorreda and engineer Jonathan Madrazo.

Powerade and the All-Stars will figure in a rematch on Sunday in Panabo City. So if today’s game isn’t decisive, the return engagement should settle the issue of bragging rights.

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Quitain said fans are also looking forward to the other games. Sapalo, 50, hasn’t played in over five years but he’s lacing up to see action for UM with Marcial Cagoco, Dodong Yee, Pating Ang, Ed Salac, Delio Catre, Noel Legaspi, Paok Allera, Eric Teng, Al Buco, Nonong Tirol, Edwin Josol and Pastor.

Sapalo was recruited by coach Ron Jacobs to play for La Salle and Northern Cement in the ‘80s. Among his teammates on Ambassador Danding Cojuangco’s Northern squad were Alfie Almario, Peter Aguilar, Jun Tan, Jerry Codiñera, Teddy Alfarero, Louie Brill, Elmer Reyes, Hector Calma, Allan Caidic, Joseph Uichico, Franz Pumaren, Jeff Moore, Chip Engelland and Dennis Still.

Injuries hampered Sapalo’s basketball career and when his playing days were over, he concentrated on pursuing a marketing degree at La Salle. Sapalo graduated in 1989 and became a successful businessman. He operated a carton business in Manila and Cebu, managed a resort near SM Bicutan and last year, relocated to his Mati hometown to run a fastcraft ferry service from the Sta. Ana wharf in Davao City to Lupon, Davao Oriental. What used to be a five-hour journey from Davao City to Mati now takes about two hours, said Sapalo who has found a niche in transport shipping.

The UM legends will go up against the Davao All-Stars whose roster is composed of Alex Doromal, Mike Visconde, Jerry Ledesma, Santi Concepcion, Jun Pansacala, Bimbo Mababa, Toto Derequito, Nato Perocho, Alod Blanco, Nick Cirafrica, Mike Caharian, Dodong Cagampang, Jun Robles and Mosqueda.

The Davao Collegiate All-Stars are made up of Miguel Pacheco, Arnold Adormeo, Stan Apurada, Fernandez Mikhail, M. J. Zenegger Andres, Nichole Bangga, Erickson Galacgac, Janno Nunez, Clemente Ruiz, Estrellante, Reynaldo Casnillo, Brian Montero, John Philip Refuerzo, Richard Madelo, Louie Achate and Nard John Pinto.

Quitain said the games will also honor late Davao All-Stars Bebot Carpe, Jun Molde, Jong Quiamco, Mike Plata and Toto Paglas.

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 “There are more exciting developments in basketball,” said Quitain. “We are forming the Liga Mindanao and so far, at least seven teams have shown serious interest. Sanman is at the top of the list with owner Armand Sanano and coach Perig Alicante. A few weeks ago, we held an exploratory meeting with director Langlang Pantejo and among those who attended were Goldstar coach Jigger Sancel, Jimma Beltran of the Duterte Aguilas representing Bong Go, Panabo City sports coordinator Al Bascon, Dading Alison of CM Farms, Lendie Dawal of Ishihara, Councior Gavina’s chief of staff Johnel Dolente, Dante Sapalo and Jun Abraham of Mati. And of course, the father of the Mindanao Sports Training Center himself arrived the earliest straight from the airport after celebrating the EDSA reunion in Manila – no other than Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas.”

Quitain said he recently met with representatives of San Miguel Corp. to discuss the year-round calendar of events of the Davao Sports Hall of Fame and disclosed that the Davao Collegiate All-Stars will take on Athletes In Action from the US in an exhibition game on May 17. The Hall of Fame will induct boxers in its next enshrinement after honoring basketball stars last year.