Sports program takes on fresh start

Monday, April 18, 2011

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Vice Governor Joseller Guiao on Sunday said the sports development program of the Capitol is taking on a fresh start with the opening of the 1st Governor Lilia Pineda Cup, or the Pampanga Sangguniang Kabataan Inter-Town Basketball Tournament at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

Except for San Luis and Candaba, 19 towns with selection teams will go on road games across the province. The governor has funded the games, which are being facilitated by SK president and Board Member Krizzanel Garbo.

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The renowned professional and international coach added: “One, improve facilities. Two, grassroots recruitment. You can only do that with tournaments like this as you go inter-town and inter-barangay. Three, we will not focus on basketball alone but other sports which Kapampangans are good at like football and baseball which we have at Guagua. Boxing is also good for Kapampangans which we can devote our time, resources and energy, but it has to be a comprehensive plan.”

He also said that Pineda has allocated sufficient funds for the sports development program where outstanding Kapampangan athletes could be discovered.

Garbo, for her part, said the tournament is designed to foster camaraderie among players as well as wean away the youth from drugs and vices through sports activities.

Meanwhile, Lubao Annyka subdued Team Mexico in the opening game, 101-79.

The powerhouse team with former Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda on the coaching staff proved to be too sharp for Mayor Teddy Tumang’s boys from defense to offense. The game was deadlocked only once at 22-22 during the second quarter and Lubao never looked back, with Jonas Reyes pumping in 22 points to dump a rallying Mexico squad.

In the next game, the City of San Fernando blasted Sta. Ana, 83-67, for their first victory of the tournament. (Jovi T. De Leon)