In a league of their own

Saturday, February 4, 2012

VIRTUAL unknowns in Davao City's youth basketball community have taken the huge step of fulfilling their dreams as the 3rd Trip Ko Phoenix Fuels Basketball Cup opened just recently.

Some 1,000 hopefuls underwent two weekends of rigorous training but only 120 players were drafted to compose the eight teams entered in the league, the only non-school-based under-16 basketball tournament.

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The elite 120 is a crack selection of newbies and regulars from the past two editions.

They are Sean Africa, Arnel Agabon, Mel Laurence Aleria, Alex Cesar Almario, Niño Anting, Patrick Asoy, Andrian Paul Astudillo, Olsen Avila, Isiah Thomas Ay-ad, Shin Roi Balante, Renz Balise, Restituto Bangcas, Rald Nicole Barrera, Klyde Batilo, Alvin Bejel, Ronilo Berte, Jeucharist Binoya, Matthew Bonleon, Miggy Bonleon, Oswel Buladaco, Allyn Bulanadi, John Bulanadi, Eric Lou Buluran, Aljay Burata, Quincy Dale Burden, Johnly Ver Burgos, Adrian Dee Bustaleño; Mark Edison Cabiles, Tristan Joy Cabiles, John Vincent Cal, Christian Jason Caliso, Almendro Cañete III, Levi Canonigo, Ronnie Capao, Alfred Joshua Capeding, Ian Jay Claros, Kitch Carl Conda, Angelo Dalion, Alfred Damag, Joshua Damag, Philip del Fierro, Gio Alenzo Delvo, Anfernee Digamon, Vince Divinagracia, Paul Rimeul Doria, Eric Patrick Dulay II, Harry Dumagan, Johnly Estrada, Jeremie Evangelista, Bench Brian Fabian, Jericho Feliciano, Ronyl Ferrer, BJ Flores, Rene Galope III, Miguel Gancio, Michael Jay Gonzaga, Gido Guerra, Geevy Guinan, David John Halili, John Patrick Ibañez, Resty James Inoc, Ronald Jabican, Hessed Josol, Lois Josol; Abba Jumawan, John Von Lacorte, Jasper Kent Laluces, Karl Llano, Vico Magbanua, Vince Magbanua, Carlos Magno, Kent Virby Manago, Jim Mangmang, Jaseor Harvey Mesiona, Kevin Montenegro, Timothy James Ng, Tyson Nishiyama, Elmer Obelidhon Jr., Lance Omandac, Miguel Pacheco, Elwood Fraser Pacudan, Hector Padillo, John Paul Padul, Shean Sixto Panchito, Ray Roger Pasaylo, Kenneth Pedida, JC Pestañas, Sho Planas, Jose Miguel Presbitero, Niño Rey Presbitero, Jan Patrick Quidato, Kenneth Arnel Ramos, Richard Regidor, Ray Jhon Requina, Franz Pedida Revilla; Patrick Jad Sagarino, Erlsheen Jan Salac, Ritz John Saludes, Benny Boy Salvador, Ralph San Miguel, Jude Christian Saragena, Jedidah Sayson, Patrick Senarillos, Marvin Sendiong, Dale Soriano, David Angel Sotto, Rhaffy Tabudlong, Jan Rex Tahanlangit, Kiddson Tan, J Carrl Ovic Tarranza, Jvanne Tarranza, Aaron Tongco, Vince Lopez Vedad, Jayvee Villaflor, Axyl Villamor, Henry Watanabe, Philip Yaco and John Khenbert Yu.

Astudillo and Dumagan, in a press conference, said it's a great feeling to be drafted.

"I can learn so much from my teammates from Ateneo and other schools who I believe already have good skills because of their constant exposures in huge tournaments such as this," the Sta. Ana National High School student Dumagan said in the vernacular.

Talomo National High School's Astudillo, for his part, said in the dialect, "I am so happy for this opportunity. I will do my best for my team."

Holy Cross of Babak's John Von Lester Lacorte, reigning most valuable player (MVP), was thankful for the chance of being drafted for the second time this year.

"They say I'm a very good player but I still have a lot to improve," Lacorte smiled.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. corporate affairs manager Ben Sur said they are looking into proposals of other local government units (LGUs) to also hold a similar program in their areas.

Sur said, "It's a good sign that our basketball program is being appreciated by other parts of the region. This is a good indicator that what we have been doing is very welcome to other communities as well."

PPPI marketing manager Neb Bulaclac said the Trip Ko basketball is an expensive program as management have to spend P500,000 for every conference. The amount covers allowances of players and coaches, officiating fees, uniforms, gym rentals, transportation expenses for out-of-town games and other operational expenses.

Catch exciting basketball action every Sunday morning at Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.