I had the privilege as a young sportswriter then to follow the Holy Cross of Davao College Crusaders during the time of coach Arthur “Tura” Sumalinog, sports director Abe Verdeprado and Dean of College, Dr. Doroteo Amora.
In the 1990s, Joemer Rubi, John Ferriols, Jojo Luzgano were the popular players at that time, and who were closely followed by Tere Sampaton, our lady sportswriter for the Budyong Wall News of Prof.Eduardo “Edfer” Fernandez, the pride of Monkayo.
Probably, it was luck that I was a working college student at that time because I must take subjects that were offered in the afternoons or early evening. After my evening classes, I will go directly to the Holy Cross gym (that was popularly known as CYO Gym in the 1970s) to check on the players training and chat briefly with coach Tura. Aside from getting news tips from coach Tura or sports director Abe, I was able to observe their training.
The Crusaders then were regular competitors of the annual Araw ng Dabaw Basketball Tournaments against commercial squads Felcris Supermarket, Montana Pawnshop, Trendsetters, Sunpride Foods Cebu and Lhuillier Pawnshop Cebu. The Crusaders then will carry either the Avis Rent A Car colors or Davies Paints.
After the massive recruitment of the Crusaders by Cebu and Manila teams, came next the new batch of young players. One of them was Jigger Saniel. From time to time, Davao sportswriters would have the chance to see Jigger and the rest of the new batch of players in regular leagues.
And time just flew so fast.
Today, Jigger is a national basketball champion coach.
Sealcor Kingfishers Davao was their first backer in the elimination rounds and came Prime Bistro and Bullet Customs Brokerage which brought them all the way to the championship round of the First Batang Pilipino Basketball League national finals against Cebu.
Jigger told me that their road to the finals was a seven-month journey. And their dedication to the game gave them a national title. “Nothing comes easy. Grabe gyud, 7 months in the making ni. Sakripisyo ang pamilya, mga amigo, gahin gyud ug panahon.”
No wonder, Jigger as a coach, could no longer hide his tears of joy in the last minute of the game. They beat Cebu to become a national basketball team champion.
Jigger along with coaches Pong Escobal, Tristan Balino and Rolly Sancho, all Holy Crossians, are grateful to the huge support of Attorney Manases “Mans” Carpio, who is turning another leaf on February 8. This is quite a beautiful advance birthday gift to you Atty.Mans of Prime Bistro. Na perfect timing pud Attorney noh? Let’s sing and dance to the tune of “Moves Like Jigger”!
The coaches are also grateful to the support of Sealcor and to Mark Jade Anting of Bullet Customs Brokerage.
Cebu has been traditionally a powerhouse in basketball and Jigger admitted that they are strong team but after the coaches’ meeting, they found a solution to beat them, 61-52.
Before I finish this column, let us record the names of the title holders and future basketball stars of this country. Xyrhone Lawrence Dalde Ambuat, Jesus Montecalvo III, Junel L. Balansag, Alexander Sebastian B. Decin, Jimz Aaron G. Lulab, John Benedict M. Young, Keith Francis Marquez, Brehmer Penano, Sefh Jason Albiendo, Leeshane Frouze C. Constantino, Juvel G. Dayanan, Shem Joshua D. Bayate, Peter Kofi A. Adabo, John Eimrod G. Rodulfa and John Cedric G. Taray. Rodulfa and Marquez were selected to the Mythical 5.
They are your new basketball idols, ladies and gentlemen!
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