Adios streetball

Some good things never last, others may live for ages but in the end become just a page in history books. After 11 years, the Adidas Streetball Challenge finally closed its doors to 3-on-3 basketball. Adidas sports marketing manager Goody Custodio said they are looking at another concept next year which is the 5-on-5. Anyway the Adidas Streetball has given its share, that is discovering new talents for future national and international competitions. Some of the Streetball products are Enrico Villanueva, Wesley Gonzales and at one time, this year's PBA most valuable player James Yap of Purefoods. In last Sunday's Cebu edition, less than 50 teams showed up, a far cry from the early years where the games drew 500 teams. Well, Goody said they were focusing on quality rather than quantity. But the teams that competed were lethargic compared to last year. Even the defending champion West Negros College was not around.

Late Notice

National organizer Nino Sinco of Futures Events said Adidas a bit late in planning this year's events. In fact, Goody bared they were not sure if the games would push through as Adidas was busy with the World Cup. Of course it's a known fact that Adidas started with football. But since the show must go on the games kicked off at the Sacred Heart School Gym. What added to the low turn out was that the Streetball was held during the CESAFI season. Most of the teams were forbidden to play and when the smoke cleared University of San Carlos boys and girls teams emerged champions. This early however, we believe the Cebu teams will be mangled when they play in Manila. Anyway, here's looking forward to a new ball game next year.

King Of The Road

Although Goody wasn't so happy with this year's Streetball, he was bringing some good news that would make the running community happy. Goody said Adidas will be concentrating on running next year and part of that drive is the staging of the Adidas King of the Road here in Cebu. It's been some three years when Adidas stopped holding the Adidas Pharmaton 10K circuit. Goody said the winners in the Cebu and Davao races will have a chance to strut their wares in the Manila run.

CERC Turns 10

Time really flies. It seems only yesterday when Dr. Abe Manlane, Dr. Vic Verallo the late Joe Abellanosa and myself met at an uptown restaurant to form the Cebu Executive Runners Club. From less than ten members the club has grown to over 50. To celebrate our 10 years in running, we are organizing a full-marathon, a dream conceptualized by the club now under the wings of dedicated president Roel Militar. The club boasts of Judge Gabby Ingles, Ombudsman Ed Canton, Dodong Sulatre, Billy Tan, Steve Ferraren, Nogie Biagan, Oscar Lopez, Jessie Taburada, Relly Mercado, Oscar Villaflor, The Freeman's Ruth Mercado,and the comebacking Councilor Ed Labella. As founding president I'm probably the happiest soul. More power and more running guys.

Iloilo XI

You can beat Iloilo in any sports but it's a crime if you do that in football. If we talk of World Cup the Iloilo would probably be Brazil. So last Sunday, Iloilo lived to that Lofty billing when they crushed Cebu in Humiliating fashion 5.0 to win the PFF Visayas Regional Football Under-17 Championships at the Sacred Heart School Jesuit field in the Cebu Business Park. Cebu needed to win against Iloilo by at least two goals to grab the crown. But you can't do that against Iloilo. Go to a football game in Iloilo and you will see that the grandstand is filled to the rafters. That's how crazy Ilonggos are about football. Ti mga paisanos, you really showed them how. Congratulations!