The 2014 Challenges

The 2014 Challenges

The sun blest weekend of July 5-6 came and is now gone. The 2014 TEEN CAGERS – MASTERS CHALLENGE has been played and was well done. This annual summer ritual, stage managed by Ed Vasquez and Rick Aquino, backed by Noel Tejada, Mike Narciso, Robert de Guzman, Dhabby Maayuga, Nancy Maguigad and a consortium of benevoles, proved yet another time that the PBAM is “what Montreal Filipino basketball is all about”.

The all thrills, no frills Tournament of 19 teams in 4 Divisions showcased competition and sportsmanship at its best, wholesome family entertainment and community interaction. It went beyond expectations. The teams came out swinging, played clean and spirited, hard but not rough and after 36 games 4 teams came out tops and Kings of the hill.

In the U-13, Lito Lalic’s and Ray Foz PAAWIS with MVP Joshua Abalos upended PBA Ottawa, 46-34 for the title. The Street Ballers, coached by Nelson Bonavente and Rex Toquero and MVP Matthew Bonyad tamed the MYAA Jaguars, 42 – 30, to clinch the U-15 crown.

Undeniably and easily the best play-off games of the tournament belonged to the U-11. Devoid of parents meddling, too innocent to trash talk, fragile to dish out and absorb physical play, the players listened and heeded their coaches instructions and came out with a super performance worthy of their age level.

Seeding the 11 was a tight call. Each, the MYAA Jaguars, the Bakers and the GIG Seraphs, had the talent and the ability to win it all. But just one wins.

In a semi-final game of lucky bounces and a miracle, the GIG Seraphs on a put back by MVP Matthew Seedersad, broke a 37 -37 tie to make it 39 -37, time down to 10 seconds. The Bakers turned over the ball on the return and the GIG Seraphs played out the time as the Bakers desperately fouled for possession.

In the Title game against the Mississauga Youth Athletic Assn (MYAA) Jaguars, the Seraphs again prayed for and received yet another miracle. Down by 2, 47-45, with 15 seconds to go, Jaguar Jerun Leung, capping a 27 point performance, heaved a 3 pointer, 48-47, MYAA. Seraph Diego Handinero drove in to attempt a winner but got nixed, MYAA with possession. Then the Red sea parted, manna from heaven, another miracle. On a heartbreaking miscue, MYAA turned over possession and fouled Ian Romero. Romero cooly sank in the charities to ice the game, 49-48. For GIG (God is Good), miracles do happen.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

The modified rule to allow 2 non-filipino players is politically correct, attracted teams and enhanced the quality of games. Resounding dunks, perimeter shooting and “non-pikon” physical play became standard. Made more evident in the stellar Master Division, with teams from Ottawa, Boston, locals All City, Nabsters and Kurt ‘n’ all. Last year’s Champions DLB aborted 2 days before.

The Masters title game pitted ALL CITY vs. the NABSTERS. Both teams were beefed up by outstanding players Jordan Aquino, Ajay Serue and Aamir for All City and Verron, M. Fosu and Mikee Dosado for the Nabsters. The Nabsters took the bye, pasting Ottawa, 67-36 and BOSS-10, 81-65 . All CITY struggled, edging BOSS-10 twice, 91-86 and 67-63 to advance. But in the game that really counted, Miggz Sorensen’s and Jod Maguigad’s All City, with MVP Jordan Aquino squelched a late Nabster rally to win, 68-59.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

By : Jake Maguigad

Comments

comments