Bleacher Talk

Christmas is a time for homecomings for all, and this includes sports. Having been involved in youth sports for quite some time, we have come to realize that the Christmas break has become an occasion for an informal homecoming of sorts of athletes who once played in the local sports scene. It’s a mix of relief, joy and pride that you bump into athletes who started their sports lives in Cebu, have moved on to different places but have made Cebu proud of their feats. One also gets to realize that Cebu is loaded with not only national-caliber athletes, but international achievers as well. It literally starts at the top with the tallest. June Mar Fajardo, whose San Miguel team has been ousted from the ongoing PBA conference, is back home in Pinamungajan but has found time to be with former colleagues and coaches. Knowing the Kraken, he prefers staying home with his family. While I’m sure he would’ve preferred playing the PBA Finals and score a grand slam, he’s just as fine coming ...

Jong Uichico to Conduct Coaches’ Seminar The SBP Coaches Academy of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is conducting a coaches’ clinic/seminar this weekend, December 14-15 at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu campus in Canduman, Mandaue City. Multi-titled coach Jong Uichico who heads the SBP Coaches’ Academy and who is also an assistant coach of Gilas Pilipinas, will be the lead facilitator along with a team from the SBP head office. The seminar is open to all coaches, players, teachers and basketball enthusiasts who want to hone their craft and knowledge of coaching and the sport itself. Among those who already registered are coaches from the youth-based leagues, schools, ballclubs, teachers and officials. The fee for the seminar is P1,000.00, and this includes a certificate, an SBP Coaches Academy ID and accreditation as coaches of the academy. Joining Uichico is Cebuano coach Ryan Betia who was recently appointed as assistant coach of the PBA team Blackwater Elite w...

We Win, Play & Cheer as One The 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) are well underway, filling the TV with a daily dose of action, news, videos and highlights; giving sports fans an overdose of sports fun. Yes, I know. It has also become a venue for pro and anti government “experts” to throw mud at each other on social media, but we’re not going to join that mess. Let the kids have their own petty quarrels while we sports fans enjoy the show. We can talk about that on another day. For now, let’s win as one, play as one and cheer as one. One of the biggest revelations (although not surprising) is that the Pinoy athlete can excel and win. We are currently leading in the medal standings, thanks to the big wins of our heroes in the medal-rich individual sports. Thanks to PSC Commissioner Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez and the Philippine Sports Institute’s figures, 14 golds were harvested by the arnis team, while ten golds were courtesy of the dancesports (as o...

Cebu Basketball Wrap-up The past week was a great way to wrap up the Cebu Basketball season for the first semester of the school-year as it brought out good news, good vibes and a refreshing signal that it’s stable and strong (despite all the criticism that it gets). It wasn’t set purposely but this past week saw basketball celebrate the championships of three major programs. Southwestern University-PHINMA won the CESAFI college division championship. Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu regained the CESAFI high school division championship; and the University of the Visayas scored a historical feat by bagging its first national championship of the Small Basketeers Philippines division (Under 12) of the SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo. And the noteworthy component of all championships has been the different ways these teams won their titles. For the SWU-PHINMA Cobras, this title is a fitting tribute and reward to and for the affable Coach Mike...