|
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Former PBA cagers wow Gingoog fans
By Lynde Salgados
IF LOCAL music industry has Apo Hiking Society to Showbiz's durable troika of Tito, Vic and Joey, Philippine basketball has also its own guaranteed hit in the comical yet interesting threesome of gentle giant Bonel Balingit, music freak Zaldy Realubit and easy-go-lucky Peter Naron.
No longer active in the pro league (PBA) but the three of them is still very much alive and kicking in as far as navigating the unexplored horizons of artistic endeavors is concerned.
"Naa mi bag-o nga diskarte (we have new gimmicks)," Realubit declares. "No, I'm not a regular yet for a full-time showbiz career," clarifies Bonel. "But we're having a lot of fun apart from basketball," adds up Pedro as Naron's partners in crime fondly call him.
Inseparable as they are, like true brothers in arms, the ex-PBA superstars recently took Gingoog City by storm, playing an exhibition game with Caiña Slashers before a sizable crowd at the Gingoog City Gymnasium.
And though their team, crowded by Zaldy's barriomates from nearby Odiongan and close relatives from the productive Pabillore clan, eventually lost by 13 points, 85-93--the big fellas never failed to paint a smile on the faces of their ever adoring fans in the City of Waterfalls.
At halftime break, an idle Realubit (whose bruised knee he suffered during a Bukidnon sortie had forced him to assist acting head coach JP Pabillore on the bench) pulled off a guitar to showcase what they referred as their new-found interest.
Pro-Filipino basketball
But before titillating the crowd, the 6-foot-9 Balingit reminded everyone that their primary business in circling Viz-Min's provinces is to help promote local basketball development.
"We're making an album to be released soon in the market but we're here to promote basketball. If you still remember, kasama po kami na nag-protesta against the influx of Fil-Am basketeers in our country because we believe na nasa ating mga kabataan po ang future ng Philippine basketball," thundered out Bonel on the microphone.
Then with Realubit strumming on guitar and Naron joining him on back-up vocals, Bonel took the front as he started doing a medley of pangmasa hits such as Vhong Navarro's Totoy Bibo and Pamela, Sex Bomb's Spaghetting Pababa, Bayani Agbayani's Otso-Otso and K & the Boxers' Sasakyan Kita to the crowd's great delight.
Bonel's so-called long-lost friend, Claire also rendered an ala Sarah Geronimo's I'll Be Waiting For You (Celine Dion's original) that also drew a standing ovation.
"Ingon-ana ka lingaw ilang lakaw karon. Pakanta-kanta, pagimik-gimik sila sa Manila ug sa gawas kay naa man goy mga talents aside sa basketball," said Zaldy's loyal cousin Anton Pabillore.
For pure fun and all
In a huddle, the group's dependable leader Realubit told his local teammates to just enjoy the game. No pressure, no elbow-itching contact with just moderate mood on the rugged court.
In a prayer, Zaldy thanks God for their basketball talents and opportune time to give joy to the spectators. He also asked the Supreme Being to spare both teams from any injury.
And despite playing without any serious preparation, the game (in retrospect to their first encounter during the recent Oro fiesta celebration at Xavier University gym) was closely fought in the first three quarters.
As usual, Naron led his team's offensive job while every Balingit basket was greeted with a boisterous noise from the crowd.
It was a different story, however, in the fourth and final quarter. Pointguard Babart Acaylar, who was steadily playing a brainy game against the veterans, went five of 6 in the three-point area that mattered most in deciding the match.
"Babart must be credited for his brilliant effort tonight. At least, gapatu-o gyod siya sa akong instruction," coach Dodo Bernados told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
(September 6, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
