MINUTES after the University of Cebu lost to the University of the Visayas in the Partners Cup finals, I heard that often repeated line whenever teams lose to UV. ”Pagwapohay na lang ta’g players. Mas gwapo amo.” It’s meant to be a dig against UV, but it’s not really, since they have players who can be on the covers of magazines.
Minutes after San Francisco won Game 3 of the North Division finals, I couldn’t hear any dig from the losers to the winners and I saw how the elated fans of the new North Division champions were busy having their pictures taken with the players or taking pictures of the winning team. On the other side, I could see friends and fans of the vanquished Consolacion, who were less than 40 seconds away from the title, consoling the disappointed players who were crying.
I never got to see the losing UC side in the Partner’s Cup finals as they abruptly left the venue and didn’t even bother to receive their runner-up trophy.
Fans and officials, too, dissected the end-game mid-court and most agreed on two things--the steady nerves of Kenny Rogers Rocacurva and Consolacion’s immaturity decided Game 3.
“Grabeha’g pulso bata-a.” “Ngano gi-pugos pa man nila, gi-gawas na lang tani.” “Duha gyud ka chance.”
To put that in context, Consolacion was ahead by 1, with some 40 seconds to go. They missed their first attempt but got the rebound, but instead of wasting time, they forced another shot. Leading to another miss, that lead to a San Fran rebound that lead to a drive by Kenny Rogers, who got fouled.
The place wasn’t full, perhaps due to the rain but it sure felt it was a full house after Kenny Rogers made the first free throw.
70-70. He signaled the crowd to scream some more and they obliged.
He thanked them by sinking the second free throw. 71-70.
Pandemonium. You could feel the whole place vibrate and it wasn’t even a title of the event itself. It was basically a semifinal.
Seeing both Partners Cup and the Gov Cup reminded me of the World Cup and it shows how the tournament has stoked hometown pride. There is that club and country duty in international football and though it’s the club (school) that pays your salary (scholarship), when the international game comes calling and you get called up to play for your country (town), you give 110 percent.
That’s what the Gov Cup has done for basketball in Cebu, stoking a fire of passion in both players and fans different from when they are playing for school pride.
Because it’s different, really, when you’re playing for your family, friends and relatives and it’s the name of your town on your shirt from when you’re playing for classmates and your school.
Both involve intense passion but there is that just intangible difference when it’s the pride of your town that is involved.
And this Governor’s Cup basketball tournament has done that, give sports afficionados a chance to show their love for their towns through a basketball tournament.
So take a bow, CPSC.