LOVE for basketball made the ex-varsitarians of University of St. La Salle attend the Stingers Reunion last Friday at Bar 21 Restaurant at Lacson Street. Theirs was one love, one heart for the sport and for their former teammates and coaches.

Two days earlier, there was also one love and one heart affair. Ranulfo Atienza and the former Cecile Villanueva, exchanged vows again after 25 years before Rev. Fr. Danilo Sitchon at Tangub Parish Church. "Bindoy" and wife returned home from Seattle to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.

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Still wearing his signature long hair at age 50, the son of Tia Bessie Atienza, former barangay chief of Tangub, looked very happy and fit to play against his contemporaries. The former point guard of UNO-R High School was just so excited to meet his former classmates of Batch '76.

At the reception at Sugarland Hotel, "Bindoy" took his sweet time remembering how he "forced" Fr. Dan to tie the knot with his lovely wife way back in 1984. The only time the "ball was stolen" from him was when his only son and Best Man, Juan Paolo upstaged him with a video clip showing their family's best photos.

The Atienza Family will return to Manila October 29 bringing all the hopes and best wishes from friends and relatives here in the City of Smiles.

Back at Bar 21, the La Sallians were having fun and laughter with their families too. From America came Alrich and Aldon Jareño, Stevie Coscolluela and Kevin Colocado. From Manila were Dax Castellano, Archie Tiongco, Carlo Camus, coaches Ricky Dandan, Rico Perez and John Flores.

Spicing up the occasion were Christopher M. Jamero, Mark Anthony D. Antonio, Ryan Gamboa, Andy Angodung, Ahmit Teruel, Freche Ang, Leo Martin Cuenca Abao, Gerald Baldonado, Randy Dilig.

Also joining the eat-drink-talk session were Coach Boogie Simon, Ernesto "Botoy" Tolosa, Michael Lim, Paker Pasco-Blanco, Dondon Abo, Steve Cortez, Simeon Ortiz, Sammy Belangel, Linn Benedict Doble, Chitboy Benedicto, Kenneth Lacson, Anton Coral, Vince Lacson, Terence Cañete, Desmond Totengco, Ryan Nabor.

Stingers-turned-coaches Troy Sarabia (WNU), Daniel Chiu, Jun Luciano (USLS) and Peewee Demonteverde (CSA-B) have a memorable night getting tips from coach Ricky, Rico and John.

Surprisingly missing the food, drinks and fun were 1996 best Nike 3-on-3 player Ryan Concha, (PLDT-Bacolod) and Tata Belangel, who is coaching St. Joseph's Academy in Iloilo City. The attending Stingers missed too their buddies who never made it.

Earlier in the day, the returning Stingers have their "scrimmage" at USLS Coliseum in preparation for a drinking marathon. We're sure the Stingers will make another round of practice games in the years ahead __ plus the one love one heart reunion.