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Monday, August 07, 2006
TeleTech Titans eyes Olarte, Vergara
By Henry C. Villalva
WHEN they headed for the University of St. La Salle-Integrated School covered court early Saturday morning to participate in the TeleTech Titans 3-on-3 basketball competition little did they know that as a result they will get a call slip from the youngest team in the Philippine Basketball league (PBL).
But as they say, when the breaks come they come in bundles.
And for West Negros College Mustangs Ely Olarte and Venjie Vergara, winning the 3-on-3 championship over seven other teams may be only the bonus since getting invited to try out for the slots in the PBL lineup under coach Jerry Codiñera and consultant Robert Sison can be the trophy that can lead to a very promising basketball career in the future.
But the day really belong to the prolific Olarte who, like his fellow Barangay Estefania native and bosom buddy is also a former MVP of the popular Monico Cup Inter-barangay Basketball tournament.
Olarte, who told Sun.Star prior to last Saturday's competition that he is ready to try his luck in Manila but only after he campaigns for the Mustangs in this year's Nopsscea (Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural & Educational Association) tournament, was crowned the "slam dunk king" Saturday when he bested three other competitors by earning a score of 40 points to win over Christian Antiporda of colegio San Agustin Bacolod (38 pts); teammate Geban Espiritu (34 pts.) and USLS Stinger John Mark Repique (28 pts.).
He was the only contestant to score perfect 10s from all four judges-TeleTech Titans Niño Gelig, Frank Mercado, Axel Doruelo and Mr. Sunel Tan.
Told that Olarte wants to finish his commitment with the WNC varsity squad until after late October,TeleTech Titans team manager Benjie Castillo told
Sun.Star Bacolod "I don't think that will be a problem...I think that can be arranged."
Negros Basketball Association (NBA) president Oscar "Dodong" Bascon, who helped coordinate last Saturday's Teletech Titans' activity, said he feels happy for the two Negrense cagers.
"The two kids really deserve to play in manila. I believe TeleTech made the right choice with Olarte and Vergara," he said.
(August 7, 2006 issue)
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