Comebacking Calingin and the Liceo Junior Titans

AFTER over a decade-long absence, coach Andy Calingin is finally back in local sports scene.

The now 39-year-old Calingin is best remembered for his valuable contributions in local sports development both in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental province.

Calingin has opened the road for competitive transitions in the province’s sports program when he presented reforms in early 2000 to his father, then Governor Antonio Calingin.

From there, the province’s sports program started to shine as its young athletes, including future world boxing champion Milan Milendo, made a noise in the prestigious Batang Pinoy Games and other national competitions.

However, Calingin found his true love in basketball and he became coach of the Claveria Cowboys-laden MisOr Communicators during the heydays of the now extinct Oro Basketball League.

After his father’s administration ended, Calingin’s name has been unheard of for more than a decade.

But, love of the games had the gutsy Calingin resurrected once again.

He may not have the resources that he once had enjoyed, but good Samaritans around, along with sports patron in young city councilor Jay “Mr. CDO sportsman” Roa Pascual-- who chairs the committee on youth and sports—have pledged support to his young basketball team called WalayHungaw.

WalayHungaw was Calingin’s first creation since his basketball comeback as now the head coach of Liceo de Cagayan University Junior Titans.

“After I go through all of this starting with basketball probably we will extend it to other sports soon,” said Calingin.

His newly- formed team had its first outing in Camiguin island last summer then lately played against a French team in a two-game series held last week in barangay Gusa gym and Liceo gym.

Calingin also thanked Patag councilor Ronald Acenas and Department of Tourism Region 10 directress May Salvaña for also supporting his basketball team.