Ateneo wins again

For the fourth straight time the Green Archers golf team lost to the Blue Eagles in the Cebu version of the Ateneo-La Salle Golf Tournament.

With an obvious lack of warm bodies to play golf, La Salle definitely is at a disadvantage in this event, but that is not trying to explain the team's loss again. Well, maybe I really am explaining why.

While the golf tournament was for fun and camaraderie among the alumni of the two schools and those who went to La Salle and Jesuit schools, the basketball event in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines that saw the two rivals clash last Thursday was the serious battle.

At least my friends from the Blue Eagles side like Poch Lamug, Manolet Heredia, and Raul Encarnacion had a reason to smile that night at Teatro Casino after seeing their basketball team lose in the afternoon. Raul's win the raffles was an even bigger reason to smile, but I won't tell you what it is.

Now that this year's tournament hosted by Ateneo is over, the La Sallians are again hoping to do better when it's their turn to host next year. Sometimes this already sounds like the promise of a politician, but the Green Archers are really hoping to turn things around after four straight years of heart breaks.

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There is a new sports store at the Banilad Town Centre (BTC) that caught my attention this week. I'm referring to the Mint Sports Shop at the second floor.

The place sells Mizuno items and what's even better is that it carries items that I have long been looking for like goalkeeper's gloves and judogis (the attire used by judo players).

If you don't find your size in the shop, they'll even gladly order them for you.

The shop will formally open tomorrow yet I was told.

That's another reason to visit BTC aside from Toys @ Work of my best friend Chris Tio, Gloria Jean's Coffees, and the soon to open Gonuts Donuts.

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The Aboitiz Cup Football Tournament will open today at the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus field. This event again brings to our attention the obvious lack of venues for sporting events that would require a large playing area.

I met John Paul Chiongbian yesterday and Rayner Sangil to discuss the state of field sports like flag football, batted sports, and others.

The South Reclamation Project (SRP) is definitely the answer to this need and we hope that with a united group of enthusiasts from flag football, softball, baseball, touch football, and football or soccer, the plan of the city government to set up a field at the area.

JP and Ray are willing to spearhead the efforts for this together with the leaders of the other sports groups.

This surely looks good and I hope to see it happen soon.

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MILESTONE: A happy birthday to Dr. Raul Trasmonte, who is turning a year older today!