The pre-war star athletes of Cebu (Part II)
There were also Women from Cebu who dominated the sports scene. One of them was RemediosYngayo, the younger sister of Lope Yngayo, a member of the Philippine Team who played in the Davis cup. RemediosYngayo defeated the champion, Mrs. Elisa R. Ochoa in an invitation tournament in Tacloban City, Leyte.
In 1934, the Cebu Ladies Team beat the Manila Girls Selection two out of three in volleyball. The game was played in Manila. There was EstrellaLozada who studied at the Philippine Women's University, who was an all-around swimmer. During the Far-Eastern Olympic held in Manila, Lozada broke the record of Ms. Chan Cheng-Hing of China in the 100-meter swim.
It was the American soldiers assigned in Cebu who arrived in 1899 as part of the security forces of the new colonizers which replaced the Spaniards that introduced sports such as baseball. It was later introduced and became part of the curricula of the schools. The most popular sport then was baseball. Thus in Cebu there were baseball teams all over. The popularity of basketball in Cebu only came after the war.
A Cebuano rose to national prominence in the field of baseball. His name was Hugo Ramas, considered to be one of the best short-stops and second-base man the Philippines has ever produced. Ramas became Team Captain of the Meralco Team of Manila. Hugo Ramas was not the only Cebuano who starred in baseball as there was also one Mariano Saberonwho was held as the best catcher of the country. Also, Regino Bertulfo, the Best Pitcher of the U.S. Army Team was known. It was a Cebuano who after excelling the sports became the National Physical Director, and he was ReginoYlanan.
The Philippines was blessed to have hosted the 10th Far Eastern Olympic gamesheld in Manila in 1934. This gave the Philippines the opportunity of showcasing the talents of the Filipinos.
Cebu sent 20 of its sons and daughters to the games and represented the Philippine flag in the world of sports.
Here they are (hope the relatives could come forward and give additional information on these star athletes): FacundoLumba and Mario Branzuela (track and field); Regino Bertulfo, Vicente Diana, Mariano Saberon, Andre Sales and Filemon Cordinera (baseball); Bibiano Ouano (basketball); Jose Chico, Leonardo Tecson, Fortunato de Gracia, Vidal Esbra and Miel (volleyball); Apolonio Placibe and Telesforo L. Go (boxing); Estrella Lozada (swimming); Encarnacion Perez, Epifania Mantos, Zozima Tampus, and Gerardo Matus (girls volleyball).
The players were honed and trained by coaches from Cebu. The Cebu Basketball Team was trained by its coach, Marcelo Pangilinan. The other coaches of Cebu in the different disciplines were Dr. George Dunlop (another Dunlop, by the name of John W. Dunlop became an Adopted Son of Cebu City on October 17, 1974), the fellow Americans, Messers. Hyndman, Steward, and Rodman.
Before the war, there was a Cebuano pugilist who became a champion. His name was Severo Bascon, who was called then as "Kid Moro."Severo Bascon married a Japanese. He became an interpreter of the Japanese Imperial Army in Cebu. After the war he was accused of the crime of treason and prosecuted before the Peoples Court. Kid Moro was accused for spying or working undercover for the Kempetai or the Japanese Military Police. He was found guilty by the People Court No. 1 and his conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court on March 29, 1949. SeveroBascon despite his sins to the Cebuanos brought glory to Cebu before the World War II, as he was Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight Division Champion.
A boxer named Francisco "Eddie" Duarte who fought with an American at the Olympic Club in Washingtonin 1928. Duarte attained recognition in the United States and Japan.
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