Sleepless in Iloilo

When the National Basketball Conference defending champion Tribu Sugbo arrived in Iloilo City for their game against host Iloilo Warriors, they had a premonition of things to come. Not only does the Warrior enjoy home court advantage, they also acquired additional firepower in the come-backing Francis Sanz and bull-strong ex-PBA Chris Cantonjos. Just before the game at the University of San Agustin Gym, I discussed with Tribu Sugbo officials, coach Al Solis and Tony Fabian, their chances against Iloilo. Tony my ex-team mate in the Sunrisers Basketball Club that is still around after all these years said they lack sleep and are fatigued after going sleepless on board a Trans Asia vessel the night before. Monsoon rains and stormy winds battered the vessel all night. In fact, the vessel's engine conked out for a few minutes that scared most of the passengers including the players. So in other words "laspag ang Cebuanos ug wa sa condisyon", but in fairness to the Ilonggos, the Warriors are starting to jell and had good acquisitions after a dismal start. The Tribu Sugbo was coming after an overtime loss to the Parañaque Jets in Minglanilla a few days earlier. All told the Cebuanos lost 84-89 but not after giving the well-rested Warriors a run for their money. Cantonjos really proved that the Warriors did the right thing in hiring him as he struck hard down the stretch, scoring Iloilo's final 7 points bailing the Warriors from the Cebuanos' searing rally that tied the game 82 all with less than 2 minutes to go. Turn Coat

Meanwhile all eyes were probably trained at me when I sat directly at the back of the Tribu Sugbu bench. Of course the Ilonggos were shocked to see me with the Cebuano Team. "Nagtraydor na si Raffy" yelled one guy at the gallery. Even Iloilo sportsmen Jobol Piamonte and former University of San Agustin Basketball Team coach Bing Ledesma asked me if I was part of the team. I told them I was only playing host being a native of Iloilo as a journalist covering the game for Cebu. Well, let's see if the Iloilo Warriors are the new team to reckon with and not as a favorite whipping boys in the South. Kiddie Run

I was also in Iloilo City to finalize preparations for the Governor's Cup Kiddie Run slated in October in SM City. The run is being spearheaded by the Iloilo Provincial Government under Gov. Niel Tupas and coordinated by Provincial Administrator Boy Mejorada. We are expecting close to six hundred runners coming from the different schools of the city. Kids aged 5 to 13 will vie in 3 categories namely, 1K, 2K, and 3K. Expected to back the race are Jollibee and SM City Iloilo. Mejorada said this will be the real grassroots program of the province as we are encouraging kids as young as 5 years old to be aware of physical fitness. Iloilo is also bracing for the MILO Marathon Elimination Run that is set on September 11. But before that Prosports' Boyet Rentoy is organizing the Anti-Dengue Run on August 28, an awareness event for the dreaded dengue which as of the latest count already claimed 10, 000 victims nationwide. Rudy Fernandez

One of my missions here in Iloilo is to start training one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez for the Para Games happening after the SEA Games also in Manila. Rudy who swam the 28-mile Guimaras - Negros Channel in 1996 will compete in the 400 meters swimming event while running in the 1500 meters in the oval. This will also be Rudy's final tune-up before we depart for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in the Middle East on Jan. 8 next year. Milo Marathon

Congratulations to three members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club who finished creditably in the last Sunday's MILO Marathon NCR Elimination. Stanford Laboratory's Joel Juarez submitted the best time of 3:34:25 therefore qualifying for the finals in October. Dodong Sulatre, Prycegas', Visayas top honcho clocked 4:52:06 while USJR's Roel Militar, CERC president timed 4:59:09. Good work guys, the club salutes you.