AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE

OFWS ARE AMBASSADORS

YES YES YES….

Dumating din.

Only an idea.  Then it was formed. Ayan na nga. Last Sunday, here in Abuja at the Ambassador’s residence, the first-ever tournament was held – The Ambassador Basketball League.

Forget POEA. Forget the travel ban… the deployment ban… the searing anger at the government’s very impractical imposition of such. Sneers from other nationals like Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans and Lebanese among others making the Philippines a laughing stock – simply because they know that the country can not afford employment for us and yet Filipinos are barred from getting work here in Nigeria, a 100% better option than working in the Middle East.  

Actually, it was a very bold step undertaken by these young men. Before, the Filipino community only goes for the safe activities – bazaar, bingo, food fair, fund-raising, etc.  A far cry from the more prosperous big brothers in Lagos.

It was with the coming of Willy Brual and Gilbert Bernados, the prime movers of this movement. Actually, the young men go to Hilton Hotel after office hours, pay for the use of the court. At first, it was just to unwind. The guys from the Philippine Embassy like James Valenzuela and JR Ramos and the rest go there whenever there is no light in the residence (that’s what you call ‘resourcefulness’). Bernard ‘Doods’ Mercado voiced out his musings – why not organize a basketball league? Though these boys always practice Tennis (general favorite is Rafael Nadal), basketball is still their first priority – always discussing the slam dunks of Kobe, Lebron, Shaq, and the cream of NBA.

After some consultations with the ‘elders’ – (OFWS from the 1980’s) meaning Benjie Nadado, Bernie Mercado, Nonito Barraquias and the 3-year old here in Nigeria Lito Nucum, the idea progressed. Gilbert who had already organized a basketball league in his hometown brought out and compiled/modified all the rules and regulations for all technicalities.

Willy conducted series of meetings (with merienda of course) until they’ve decided on the date. Teams were formed, uniforms ordered and bought at the last minute. Gilbert while attending to clients would branch to all department stores and rummage through their sports section – in search for a basket ball (kasi looking for mura na matibay! – ‘yan ang pinoy) while Willy attended to the technicalities and protocols.  

Solicitation letters were sent out. Willy had the letters prepared. He sure knows the right timing – immediately after the Saturday (anticipated) mass at The Nunciauture where the bulk of the Pinoy faithfuls attend, he distributed the solicitation letters. Who has the heart to say no?

 Erwin Herrera, an autocad genius produced the logo (incidentally he was also the creator of the The Migrants Publications Logo).

Invitation was sent out.

Mr. Marcio Monteclaro from Lagos (sports organizer, too) professed his support to this league. The organizers would one day want to ask them for an invitational game.

HICCUPS GALORE

(Two days before the games)

‘Willy, this whistle is for volleyball!’

‘Ok. Ok , we can still use this when we expand to other games.’ ‘Let me rush and buy the correct one.’

A day before the games – April 2

Black Team practicing at the D & S Court:

‘Gilbert, where’s the sash for the Miss Ambassador League?’

‘Oh no! today’s election day – no movement. Ayyyyyayy.’

Luckily, the camp manager, Mrs. Tcholev has white left-over material. And permanent markers.

Sherwin, Noel, Donald and Gilbert managed to make a presentable sash. Made of white cotton material.

It’s a DATE!

Here we are – under the scorching sun of the Lenten Season.

Mcdoo is still busy writing on the ‘retaso’ from the sash (so that’s where it went – already a candidate for ‘pamunas’ as in ‘basahan’): yes, there was no banner. So, he has to rush this:

AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE, Abuja Nigeria April 3, 2011

Let the program begin.

An interesting part is the selection of the MISS AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE.

Maebs Mercado for the Pink Lagooners, Dulce Casaldon for the Black Mambas, Teri Mabansag for the Phil Embassy Team. The W@&Tel white team has no muse. Our beloved MCST Sr. Eflaida of the Nunciature came looking for somebody – PRESTO – she was borrowed as their muse. The ever game Sr. Eflaida willingly posed much to the delight of the spectators and then she proceeded on her way back to The Nunciature.

The Talent Portion

Immediately it was announced, the 3 ladies wanted to bail out. But the prodding of the audience and their teams made them braved it all. Panel was comprised by Con-gen Lamadrid, Otie Barraquias and Vangie Novio.

Consul-General Alex Lamadrid formulated the questions:

First set:

1                      Nigerian Politics: Pres. Goodluck Jonathan is the candidate for President of Nigeria’s ruling party The PDP. What does the acronym PDP stand for?

2                      Nigerian History: Last year, Nigeria celebrated the anniversary of its independence from the United Kingdom on October 1^st. How many years of independence did Nigeria celebrate on 1^st Oct. 2010?

3                      Nigerian Political Geography:  The Nigerian government has a federal structure. Besides the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in which the capital Abuja is located, how many states comprise the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

4                      Nigerian Society: Nigeria has numerous ethnic groups with their own distinct language. Name the 3 largest ethno-linguistic groups of Nigeria.

Second set:

1                     Philippine History: On February 25, 2011, the Filipino people celebrated the anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution which restored democracy in the Philippines.  On which year did the EDSA revolution take place?

2                     Philippine History: Every year, the Filipino people celebrated the declaration of Philippine Independence from Spain on the 12^th of June.  On which year did Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declare Philippine Independence?

3                     Philippine Geography: The Philippines is an archipelago 7,107 islands. Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. Name the second largest Philippine island.

4                     Philippine History: The Philippine National Anthem starts with the line ‘Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan.’ Name the official title of the Philippine National Anthem.

It was a tie. The tie-breaker question was posed by Vangie Novio: Ito ay isang paliga na ang tawag ay Ambassador Basketball League dahil tayong mga narito ay mga ambassadors of goodwill. Ang motto nitong ligang ito ay: 'iwas bisyo.' Ano ang kahulugan o masasabi mo tungkol sa paligang ito?'

The judges were unanimous in handing the decision - Muse No. 3 - Teri.

Pictures below tell more of the event:

Fotos: courtesy of 'cameras' of the different fotographers.

Winners: White vs Yellow = Yellow

               Black vs Blue = Black