CESAFI Sights
Bleacher Talk
September 2, 2007
CESAFI Sights
The NBA once ran a TV commercial (which still airs once in awhile) that listed the reasons why to love the NBA. An “endorser” started off his statement with “I love the NBA because…..” and then stated the reason why he or she loved the NBA.
After admittedly being away from the CESAFI for awhile, I’ve learned to appreciate the league more than ever and what it has to offer as Cebu’s top basketball league and entertainment venue for sports. I guess this temporary “distance” away from the league has given me a fresh breath from which I can follow the league anew. And yes, it may be due to my current involvement with the league.
And so let’s take a look at some sights of the CESAFI and see why it continues to be the country’s top collegiate league outside Manila.
For starters, where else can you see a high school division that is no longer afraid of the so-called basketball powers? Gone are the days when the University of the Visayas (UV) was invincible and feared by all. The highlight of the league thus far has been University of San Carlos’s (USC) trashing of UV last Thursday. I’m not a basketball historian, but I can’t remember USC beating UV in previous league games.
The high school league is now anybody’s ballgame with all teams so balanced in terms of competition. Believe it or not, USC is now in first place with a 5-1 record. I can’t recall a time when USC was in first place in previous editions of the CESAFI or the CAAA. The battle for the top four seedings of the playoffs is so tight with UV, UC, USP, and USJR all having just about the same chances to move up to # 2 and at the same time slide down to # 4.
The reason why this is so important to mention is because it could also happen in the college division. UV has dominated the scene for the past six years and is now going for a seventh straight CESAFI championship. But could the tide be changing slowly but surely? While UV is predicted to sweep through all their assignments, how far behind are the rest? The college division has now turned into a “Beat UV” campaign in a UV against the rest scenario.
The closest that one has gotten to beating UV would have to be the efforts of UC, SWU and USC. These games may not have been that close, but these illustrated the brave courage of the David’s going up against Goliath (literally and figuratively). UV is just too strong, big and powerful. With a front line that boasts of heights such as 6-11, 6-7 and 6-5, how can they lose?
When one talks about the CESAFI 2007 season, we should never fail to mention the example set by USC in terms of fan support. They are easily the loudest, rowdiest and most united of fans behind the leadership of USC teacher Jojo Saso. It is now a common sight to see in the stands the USC ladies’ uniform of green/cream plaid pants with their matching white blouse (obviously coming from classes). They’re chants, cheers and screams have been unmatched by any other school, and I’d like to believe that this has contributed in pushing the USC team to play better. This was obvious in their game against USJR and UV. USC broke open a close game to pull away and win over USJR. In the game against UV, USC never gave up despite being behind for most of the game, with their fans pushing them on. If their fans weren’t there, USC would’ve lost by a bigger margin.
The season will also be known for the presence of a rookie who has attracted the most attention in CESAFI history. When you stand 6’11” and have Cebuano roots, it’s hard to go unrecognized. This is where Greg Slaughter has mad a good account of himself amidst all the pressure and attention that he’s getting. From the opening ceremonies where he led the oath of sportsmanship to all their games, he has just been himself and it sure looks like the fans appreciate what they see. He’s obviously a work in progress at 19 years old, but it sure looks like he has a bright future ahead of him.
Other items that deserve special mention are the tag team coaching approach of Jay Ramirez and Mike Reyes at USC. Under the “entertainment” side, the league also features the showboating/dribbling exhibitions of SWU’s Eliud Poligrates and the spectacular dunks of Sylvester Tancongco of UV. Displaying their smooth moves include John Pearce (UC Juniors), Nilton Otida (USC Juniors) and Ken Borinaga (CIT Juniors).
The elimination round ends on Saturday with the playoffs kicking off the following day. Other highlights coming up include the All Star Game and the championship series. We’re only halfway through the season with a lot of more of action to come. So just in case you haven’t dropped by to watch a CESAFI game, go out and check it out for yourself.
***
Time-out: We’re calling out to badminton enthusiasts among La Salle alumni who are interested to join our upcoming activities. Please send me an email so we can get things started. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com
September 2, 2007
CESAFI Sights
The NBA once ran a TV commercial (which still airs once in awhile) that listed the reasons why to love the NBA. An “endorser” started off his statement with “I love the NBA because…..” and then stated the reason why he or she loved the NBA.
After admittedly being away from the CESAFI for awhile, I’ve learned to appreciate the league more than ever and what it has to offer as Cebu’s top basketball league and entertainment venue for sports. I guess this temporary “distance” away from the league has given me a fresh breath from which I can follow the league anew. And yes, it may be due to my current involvement with the league.
And so let’s take a look at some sights of the CESAFI and see why it continues to be the country’s top collegiate league outside Manila.
For starters, where else can you see a high school division that is no longer afraid of the so-called basketball powers? Gone are the days when the University of the Visayas (UV) was invincible and feared by all. The highlight of the league thus far has been University of San Carlos’s (USC) trashing of UV last Thursday. I’m not a basketball historian, but I can’t remember USC beating UV in previous league games.
The high school league is now anybody’s ballgame with all teams so balanced in terms of competition. Believe it or not, USC is now in first place with a 5-1 record. I can’t recall a time when USC was in first place in previous editions of the CESAFI or the CAAA. The battle for the top four seedings of the playoffs is so tight with UV, UC, USP, and USJR all having just about the same chances to move up to # 2 and at the same time slide down to # 4.
The reason why this is so important to mention is because it could also happen in the college division. UV has dominated the scene for the past six years and is now going for a seventh straight CESAFI championship. But could the tide be changing slowly but surely? While UV is predicted to sweep through all their assignments, how far behind are the rest? The college division has now turned into a “Beat UV” campaign in a UV against the rest scenario.
The closest that one has gotten to beating UV would have to be the efforts of UC, SWU and USC. These games may not have been that close, but these illustrated the brave courage of the David’s going up against Goliath (literally and figuratively). UV is just too strong, big and powerful. With a front line that boasts of heights such as 6-11, 6-7 and 6-5, how can they lose?
When one talks about the CESAFI 2007 season, we should never fail to mention the example set by USC in terms of fan support. They are easily the loudest, rowdiest and most united of fans behind the leadership of USC teacher Jojo Saso. It is now a common sight to see in the stands the USC ladies’ uniform of green/cream plaid pants with their matching white blouse (obviously coming from classes). They’re chants, cheers and screams have been unmatched by any other school, and I’d like to believe that this has contributed in pushing the USC team to play better. This was obvious in their game against USJR and UV. USC broke open a close game to pull away and win over USJR. In the game against UV, USC never gave up despite being behind for most of the game, with their fans pushing them on. If their fans weren’t there, USC would’ve lost by a bigger margin.
The season will also be known for the presence of a rookie who has attracted the most attention in CESAFI history. When you stand 6’11” and have Cebuano roots, it’s hard to go unrecognized. This is where Greg Slaughter has mad a good account of himself amidst all the pressure and attention that he’s getting. From the opening ceremonies where he led the oath of sportsmanship to all their games, he has just been himself and it sure looks like the fans appreciate what they see. He’s obviously a work in progress at 19 years old, but it sure looks like he has a bright future ahead of him.
Other items that deserve special mention are the tag team coaching approach of Jay Ramirez and Mike Reyes at USC. Under the “entertainment” side, the league also features the showboating/dribbling exhibitions of SWU’s Eliud Poligrates and the spectacular dunks of Sylvester Tancongco of UV. Displaying their smooth moves include John Pearce (UC Juniors), Nilton Otida (USC Juniors) and Ken Borinaga (CIT Juniors).
The elimination round ends on Saturday with the playoffs kicking off the following day. Other highlights coming up include the All Star Game and the championship series. We’re only halfway through the season with a lot of more of action to come. So just in case you haven’t dropped by to watch a CESAFI game, go out and check it out for yourself.
***
Time-out: We’re calling out to badminton enthusiasts among La Salle alumni who are interested to join our upcoming activities. Please send me an email so we can get things started. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com
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