by: Moses Billacura
My alma mater Holy Cross of Davao College lost to Ateneo de Davao University in the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) Meet recently at our own home turf.
Naturally, I will root for my Crusaders but the line-up this year is not a strong squad similar to the line-up of the late coach Arthur “Tura” Sumalinog. During coach Tura’s time, he has John Ferriols, Joemer Rubi, Cesar Liston, Popong Dizon, Elay Olubalang, Rollie Sancho, Balot Celiz, Weng Valencia, Arvin and John Sumalinog.
Coach Tura was a strict coach. After working at the GSIS office, he goes straight to the Holy Cross gym. By 5:30 p.m., he is ready to train, started barking orders like a military officer. And if a player is late, he does the duck walk.
I could not recall coach Tura being absent. And naturally, with that kind of dedication, the Crusaders remained in top shape. Tura even banned the players’ girlfriends inside the gym. They are not allowed to disturb their popular boyfriends during training.
When I started teaching at the Mass Communication department after my graduation, the Crusaders were fairing well in the DACS but not this year.
The Ateneo Blue Knights under a young coach Pocholo “Cholo” Elegino, a protégé of former Ateneo coach Butch Ramirez, captured the DACS basketball crown after nine long years.
Coach Cholo could not hide his happiness. He has only praises for his players, the only varsity players in the city who do not enjoy college scholarships.
Well, coach Cholo is lucky he is surrounded by talented and dedicated players including a legion of handsome and beautiful fans. The players must do well in their academics and if they do not, they cannot play basketball. That’s Cholo’s rule. Luckily, his players obey the rule.
Congratulations coach!
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The 1st Al Munawwara Invitational Sports (AMIS) “Soccer for Peace” is scheduled on September 26 at the Tionko field.
This is an initiative of Engr.Cabel Nurhasan in cooperation with the Davao Football Association, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Department of Education and UP Mindanao.
With a theme of “One Community, One City, One Country: Pagkakaisa Isang Serbisyo Oportunidad”, the event will feature six years old and under, 8 under, 10 under, 12 under and elementary girls divisions.
Aside from the tournament, an art and literary competition will also be featured including a Peace Forum.
By October 24 to 25, the DFA will organize the S.O.S. Children’s Village “Goal for a Cause”.
According to football secretary-general Erwin Protacio, the schedule is also in line with the 17th Children’s Month celebration and to raise funds for the S.O.S.
“Not only do they hope to raise funds, but also they intend to create awareness about the impact of their programs to improve the lives of disadvantaged children,” said Protacio.
The S.O.S. Children’s Village is a non profit organization that provides long term residential care and education to children who are less fortunate or under difficult circumstances. SOS has integrated back to the society over 850 individuals who are now successful in their chosen field as pilots, doctors in medicine, social workers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and architects, among others.
If you have time and the resources, please help. Call 2930863, local 215.
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The Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship-Mindanao leg is on September 19 to 20 at the SM City Davao.
Organizers are expecting a big turnout this year and have increased the slots to four in the kiddies and juniors divisions.
The top four winners will advance to the national championships on October 10 to 11 at the SM Megamall. The junior’s champion will win P30,000 and the kiddie’s first placer will bring home P20,000.
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