In the sports world, there’s no such thing as a summer break. Just when you thought that teams would take it easy and the summer off, it’s the other way around. For the schools with comprehensive basketball programs, the summer is packed with even more activities with the purpose of preparing for the big tournaments in the coming schoolyear.
Taking the lead, however, is the Manila scene, and not us in Cebu. How I wish Cebu could also do the same for the sake of its local teams. It’s obviously another case of our need to learn from others, but more importantly doing something about it. Kicking off yesterday was the Filoil Flying V Hanes Cup, a pre-season tournament featuring the eight teams of the UAAP and the ten teams of the NCAA. It’s a unique tournament where teams from both leagues get to face each other. And we’re talking about both the collegiate and high school divisions. But that’s not the only show in town. The summer also features the Fr. Martin Cup, another tournament featuring many of the teams also playing in the Flying V tourney. A third summer tournament in the high school division is the FCBL/Freego League. Some college teams are also playing in the PBA D-League. With all these activities, it’s easy to conclude that Manila players will be busy 24/7, where they’ll have either practices or games almost daily. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team would have two games to play in a single day. They might not have enough time to do something else like going to the mall or going out with their families.
The interesting thing to note about those summer tournaments is that Cebu products can be found in Manila-based teams. Based on what we’ve seen online, leading the pack are Ateneo seniors Greg Slaughter and Oping Sumalinog. Joining them is freshman Kris Porter, a product of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Passerelle program who joined the Ateneo de Manila High School team before joining the seniors team. Jarelan Tampus is back with De La Salle University along with Mark Jayven Tallo who was on the Ateneo team last summer. Renzar Henry Asilum, also of SHS-AdC, is in the line-up of the University of the Philippines (UP). Arellano University, which has embarked on a massive re-building program under new head coach Koy Banal, has enlisted the most number of freshmen from Cebu. In their line-up for the Flying V games are SHS-AdC’s Julius Cadavis, Mavii Suarez and Aaron Sing, and Alfred Sedillo of Cebu Eastern College (CEC). CEC’s Roy Villarias is on the UE line-up. In the high school division, UAAP 2011 MVP and Rookie of the Year Jerie “Koko” Pingoy (formerly of UC) is on the Far Eastern University team, while Adven “Rebreb” Diputado (SHS-AdC) suits up for San Beda High School. As I write this piece, I just witnessed Kris Porter make two free throws off an unsportsmanlike foul that was called on a Letran player. Proudly Cebuano! I’m sure his father Edmund is flashing a proud ear-to-ear smile these days.
While we’re proud of all these Cebu products, we aren’t too proud about the fact that the summer scenario is a quiet one here. The only noise this vacation time will come from the CESAFI Partners Cup, but this will feature only college teams. This kicks off later in the month and also includes a TV partnership with RCTV. This leaves a vacuum for the high school division where teams will now have to find its own tournaments to play, usually tune-up games and a host of friendly games or summer leagues in the various towns or barangays. The other major activities of Cebu teams are limited to practicing all summer long and looking for tune-up and friendly games to get into game shape. But nothing can replace a real league-type game to prepare oneself for even more league games up ahead. There’s a need to get these high schools together to play in a mini summer tournament that can be hosted by towns or barangays that have their own respective summer leagues ongoing. Cebu’s junior teams can be like special attractions in the various summer leagues that are being held all over. Even our college teams will still need more exposure other than playing the same teams they’ll be playing against in the CESAFI. They’re better off learning from playing games against older players or other teams from elsewhere.
If Manila is busy, Cebu is unfortunately on “vacation” mode. We shouldn’t be surprised to know that this is one of the reasons why we’re left behind in terms of basketball development. Exposure means experience. Active is better than passive. Playing in real games is better than playing in friendlies. It’s about time we wake up.
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Time-out: The Milo-sponsored BEST basketball clinic will be held May 14-19, 2012, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Avenue Campus Gym. For info, contact 583-7196, 0908-895-2933 or 0923-342-8193.
You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.