A problem of poaching

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental – Long known for producing outstanding athletes not just in basketball but in athletics, football and other fields, this sports hotbed in the middle of the country has recently found itself an unwilling farm system for big schools in Metro Manila. It’s like the opposite of Robin Hood: the rich get richer by taking athletes from the provinces.

“We have been giving the NCR stiff competition in the Palarong Pambansa,” declares provincial sports head Angel “Nonong” Verdeflor. “In fact, we end up competing against some of our former athletes. Negros Occidental has a long history of excellence in sports.”

Under Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., the province has wisely focused on a handful of key sports, prudently allocating the province’s sports funds. Sports have always been a pillar of all its celebrations, from the upcoming Panaad Festival to the acclaimed Masskara celebration. The one-week Panaad Festival slated for the second week of April will also include the third leg of the Kopiko Astig 3-in-One Supercross Series among other sports. 2012 Denmark Rider of the Year Mathias Jorgensen, runner-up in two categories of the inaugural leg in Cebu, has given notice that he intends to come back and prove himself against his closest rivals, young Filipino rider Jonjon Adlawan, as well as veterans Glenn Aguilar and Jovie Saulog.

“Even in the past, Bacolod has been the venue for many national motocross races, particularly the Camel Motocross,” reveals Joseph Tuvilla, executive assistant of Gov. Marañon. “The provincial government would be glad to support motocross again.”

Panaad Sports Complex has been the southern home pitch of the Philippine Azkals, and University of St. La Salle has been the site of major basketball events from the MBA onward. The province has also hosted national championships and even the convention of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, and even the defunct SMC All-Stars. 

On the other hand, since the death of the Metropolitan Basketball Association over a decade ago, basketball has been in the doldrums in the city and province. PBA MVP James Yap, and new Smart Gilas addition Jeff Chan sharpened their skills in this city before getting picked up by University of the East and Far Eastern University, respectively, where they gained national attention by being in the UAAP. Nonoy Baclao led West Negros to a runner-up finish in the 2005 adidas Asian Streetball finals at the Araneta Coliseum before being recruited by the Ateneo Blue Eagles. 

“The schools have their own tournaments going, but there hasn’t been anything big in basketball here since the MBA,” says Negros Basketball Association founder and Negros Slashers co-owner Dodong Bascon. “We have very talented players, but once they are offered to play in Manila, they choose to leave. Of course, it’s for their future, but it leaves a vacuum in their schools.”

Most of the time, the sports pages headline acquisitions from Cebu. But it’s the same in other parts of the country where various sports flourish. Schools develop athletes for the Palarong Pambansa, then watch helplessly as their prodigies are courted and given eye-opening offers to uproot themselves and play in the UAAP or NCAA. Until the time comes when staying home is more enticing than going to the big city, schools outside Metro Manila will always be at a disadvantage. But Negros Occidental aims to lead the Visayas’ charge against this one-sided trend.

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Beginning March 1, Resorts World will be hosting satellite tournaments for the P 2 million guaranteed Allado Cup, which will award three seats to the Asian Poker Tour Manila in April.

Day 1A to 1C of the Allado Cup will run from March 22-24 (with a total buy-in of P 8,000). Day 2 will be on March 25. The Philippine Poker Tour’s (PPT) Battle of Champions will be held on March 26. The winner will be sent to the World Series of Poker. 

Day 3 of the Allado Cup will be staged on March 27, and the Final Table will be held the following day. This schedule ensures that the PPT leg champions play in the Allado Cup while still maintaining interest in the Battle of Champions.