End of Summer Games

By this time, all sponsored leagues had concluded and as to whether the aim of these sporting endeavors were achieved, it is according to each individual’s perspective. There are the optimists and the pessimists and how they see results differs on their respective understanding of had happened.

With the local and national elections just about to break light on the horizon, candidates real or imagined mysteriously appear on the playing venue with an obscene number of entourage. Their speeches border on the ridiculous to the sublime that often defies comprehension.Then they toss, throw, kick or make the first ceremonial move on the games, never mind if they do look awkwardly silly with the effort. And yes, the mandatory Kodakan moments for anyone who cares to pa-Kodak, of course for FaceBook purposes.

Then there are the well-meaning kind among the politicians around and have a working knowledge of the tournament about to unfold under their noses. These are the ones who do tournaments on a regular basis and introducing improvements and changes in their annual events. Prizes and incentives are attractive that participating teams look forward to the following year.

From chess to football, basketball to dance sport and everything else in between, it’s all over but the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Several leagues were exceptionally handled and I know of one basketball league that started without specific budget requirements. A week after the opening remarks, closing remarks were almost heard. You guessed it, this tournament sucked big time and I still hear complaints. 

Talents had been discovered, bullies uncovered.New sponsors emerged, some of the usual contributors evaporated. The ever-present reklamo on officiating and player eligibility issues add drama and excitement to otherwise generic tournaments. 

Losers whine, winners gloat, and that’s reality. Until the next summer leagues. You all have one year to prepare. Unless of course, by December 22, 2012, we all will be history. Why? If you belong to the group who ran to higher ground when some guy shouted “Chona Mae!” then believe in these doomsday prophets who base their guesses on the Mayan calendar which supposedly says that the world will end on December 21 of this year. Yeah, right.

* * *

The 6th Cong. Red Durano 18-Under Basketball League ended June 2 at the Danao City Civic Center. The Final Four was made up of host Danao City, Sogod, San Francisco (representing the Camotes Islands) and defending champion Liloan.

Semis started May 30 with Liloan losing to Sogod and Danao City prevailing over San Francisco. The following night, losers managed to win thereby giving the four teams identical 1-1 win-loss slates. Matches on June 1 are must-wins for all since winners in the first and second games will fight for the title the night after.

Liloan first booked a ticket to the Finals by defeating San Francisco. Danao City got the other slot winning over Sogod. This match-up was made interesting by Danao’s coach.For the past four years of the Congressional Cup, Edsel Vallena handled Liloan’s senior team, giving the squad two championships and a runner-up finish.

Last year, an 18-Under format was introduced and Liloan’s junior coach Teroy Albarillo was tapped. Albarillo handled the junior team in the League of Municipalities Cebu Chapter tournament about four years ago and got the inaugural title.

Long story short, this year’s title match was a battle between two competent coaches who both reside and had handled Liloan’s basketball program. 

It was a championship match worth watching. In the end, Liloan failed to defend their title and lost to a much bigger and better Danao City team by five points. Congratulations to the cast of the Final Four and to eventual tournament Danao City. Liloan vowed to do better next year and I suppose Danao will not give up the title that easy.           As the saying goes, “Till we meet again.”

E-mail me at [email protected]