CHAMPIONSHIP
What makes a champion? Brain? Brawn? Both? We have Pacquiao - the boxing champ, we have people who championed a cause, we have heroes, martyrs and champions. They all have one common denominator: dedication. Dedication encompasses perseverance, consistence, devotion, discipline and diligence and so much more. A real champion is fair and just - magnanimous in victory and noble in defeat.
What makes a champion? Brain? Brawn? Both? We have Pacquiao - the boxing champ, we have people who championed a cause, we have heroes, martyrs and champions. They all have one common denominator: dedication. Dedication encompasses perseverance, consistence, devotion, discipline and diligence and so much more. A real champion is fair and just - magnanimous in victory and noble in defeat.
The first tentative step taken gradually proved to be a steady and strong leap towards a successful culmination. Not an end per se, but the end of the first phase in a continuing process.
April 3, 2011 marked the beginning of The Ambassador Basketball League. The followers of this league had shared the experience - the anticipation, the joy, the joint rejoicing of whoever is the winner at the moment. The ooohhhss and aaahhhsss for every ‘almost and good’ shot, the admiration cast on each one who rebounds, who shoots, who assists, who helps – and of course the big hurrahhh for every bite of the snacks provided for the spectators.
This event actually brought out the inherent goodness of Filipinos. Benefactors abound. The opening ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s residence. The subsequent game was held at ACIC via Principal Mrs. Susan Gani.
And a surprise anonymous donor. A Filipino whose love for this sport must have triggered this generosity; he paid for the use of Hilton Transcorp Hotel Basketball Court every Sunday from 8:00 am to 12 noon. Except for Ms. Lani Pelaez and Dandriv no one else knew him in person. Until now:
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| Engr. Andy Coluso |
June 6, 2011 at Hilton Transcorp Hotel Basketball Court
As always the sporting facilities of Hilton Transcorp Hotel is very pleasant. The sprawling lawns emit a sweet scent of verdant grass and trees so fresh courtesy of Mother Nature.
Sunday morning of June 6 was perfect. There was excitement in the air.
Trophies were on display.
Loyal fans, cheerers and supporters and plain spectators came to witness the championship game. The Basketball Teams looked splendid in their uniforms – ready for the battle ahead.
Battle for the Third Place
Blue Team – Pink Lagooners vs White Team – W@Tel
It seemed the Pink Lagooners had picked up steam along the way. The battle for the 3rd place actually pumped more adrenalin in their veins. And they were enjoying it. The White Team was as cool as ever; playing the best they could.
1st Half 2nd Half Total
BLUE 12 19 31
WHITE 10 12 22
Championship Game:
Yellow Team – Philippine Embassy Team vs Black Team – Black Mambas
Both teams wore that kind of confidence before a battle. Reaching this stage made them eager to take the trophy. And the result was an exciting game. The Yellow team edged out the Black team as they take shots after shots with precision. The black team played as well as their opponent and denied the yellows from getting a higher score.
1st Half 2nd Half Total
YELLOW 15 15 30
BLACK 8 11 19
3 – POINTS SHOOTOUT
Two players from each team were selected. Each player has 90 seconds to shoot 25 balls in 5 positions within 3 – pt arc. One (1) point is awarded per ball that made the successful shot. Actually five (5) balls are supposed to be in the five (5) different positions which would be 25 balls in all. The players will just dash to every position to maximize the use of the 90 seconds.
Result: Points
BLUE - Doods 3
Renz 8
WHITE - Aldrin 12
Aron 1
BLACK - Erwin 8
Sherwin 2
YELLOW Tirso 3
JR 6
Winner with TWELVE POINTS: Aldrin of W@Tel
OF THE AWARDS
MS. AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE 2011
Miss Teri Mabansag
By Lito Nucum
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Aldrin Gianan
By Vangie Novio
BEST TEAM IN UNIFORM
Blue Team aka Pink Lagooners
By Antonio Santos
3-POINT SHOT CHAMPION
Aldrin Gianan
By John Hernandez
DARLING OF THE CROWD
Gel Llames
By Bernie & Maris Mercado
MYTHICAL 3
Tirso Percia
Erwin Herrera
Nelson Dioneda
By Nonits & Otie Barraquias
Represented by Annie Okoye
and Naj Nhur
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Emmanuel Ramos, Jr.
By Susan Gani
represented by Tess Azarcon
3rd RUNNER-UP
White Team aka W@Tel
By Dr. Engr. Lawrence Ekemezie
represented by Sherwin Cayabyab 2nd RUNNER-UP Blue Team aka Pink Lagooners By Engr. Andy Coluso Represented by Lani Pelaez 1st RUNNER-UP Black Team aka Black Mambas By Con-Gen Alex La Madrid CHAMPION Yellow Team aka Philippine Embassy Team By Ambassador Nestor Padalhin And as promised, the basketball league fostered camaraderie and unity and enhanced the physical and mental awareness – ‘a sound mind in a sound body - not only for the players but also among spectators’ - ABL delivered. |
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| At Stake: Trophies and medals |
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| The Philippine Ambassador HE Nestor Padalhin in a ceremonial touch of the ball for the main game: Black Mambas vs the Philippine Embassy team. Capt. Erwin of the Black Mambas and Capt. JayRLyn of the Philippine Embassy team |
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| The Philippine Ambassador flanked by Efren, the Referee and Chairman Willi with Antonio Santos, the timekeeper and the ladies Marlene and Elsie, the flag-bearers and help volunteers; Vangie at the awarding ceremony; cross-section of spectators and observers |
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| Spectators in and out of the court |
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| Photo ops before the game: Fely and Vangie under the Calabash Tree |
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| The White Team aka W@Tel: Vincent, Gilbert, Aron, Aldrin, Emmel, Buboy vs the Blue Team aka Pink Lagooners: Renz, Gel, Doods, JR (not in picture); posing with Arnel, Willi, Clifford and JRLyn; Efren nag ka- cara 'y cruz na naman - ayan and Jrlyn looks on. |
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| The battle for the 3rd place rages on... |
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| ...and displayed the best of each player |
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| Aldrin concedes a noble defeat: di naman sila nag lulupasay. Wala lang talagang maupuan...; AAAAAANNNNDDDD THE WINNER: hulaan na lang nyo - bagsik, meyyynnn! |
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| Atta gurlll with her number one fan: Jamie |
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| The Black Mambas: Gilbert, Sherwin, Donald, Erwin, John, Noel (was not able to play, he's posted in Kano) |
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| The Black Mambas family: Wala si JT, di magkasya ang uniform, time-out ang G at Gng Nonits Barraquias (me sakit), si Benjie, 'ala din, di naman daw sila maglalaro ni Tikboy, si Noel nasa Kano. |
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| The main event: Black Mambas vs the undefeated Yellow Team - Philippine Embassy Team; HE Nestor Padalhin with Efren in the touchdown; Capt Erwin and Capt Jrlyn with Efren tossing the coin; JRLyn confirming (tama, tama nga...limang piso 'yan!) |
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| The Yellow Team: Tirso, Nelson, JRLyn, Nhur and James; with Mrs. Lyn Ramos (pang - pabwenas ) |
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| A game to remember... |
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| Time out for small pep talk... |
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| Kung ang Black team ay may offense na blocking, di po ba tama na ang yellow team ay yellowing naman (ayun kay Renz) ? Ano po ang masasabe nyo Ginoong Clifford? |
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| Taking the last shot... |
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| Chatting with the scorer; Vangie, Tess, Annie; Khaye, Annie, Tess |
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| The three-point shot...2 players from each team... |
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| Still trying... |
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| Awarding Ceremony: Vangie; Fely leading the National Anthem; Lynn with the prayers |
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| Muslim prayers led by Jabar; HE Nestor Padalhin renders his speech, as the spectators listened. |
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| Miss ABL 2011 Teri Mabansag. Mr. Lito Nucum presenting the trophy and the Sash. |
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| Aldrin, The Sporstman, receiving his trophy. (Aldrin: 'hhhmmmmnnnn, ano kaya ang nakalagay dito dati?') |
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| Best Uniform: Blue Team - Pink Lagooners |
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| 3 POINT SHOT CHAMPION AWARDED TO ALDRIN OF THE WHITE TEAM BY JOHN HERNANDEZ |
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| DARLING OF THE CROWD - GEL LLAMES - a very likeable fellow indeed! |
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| The Mythical Three - Tirso, Erwin and Nelson |
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| MVP - EMMANUEL RAMOS, JR sharing the trophy with his wife Lyn |
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| 3rd Runner-up W@Tel |
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| 2nd Runner-up Pink Lagooners |
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| 1st Runner-up Black Mambas |
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| CHAMPION: Philippine Embassy Team shown here with HE Nestor Padalhin and wife Annie, Con-Gen Alex Lamadrid with Manager Teofie |
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| A little posing here and there with the trophy for Sherwin - and plain pose practice for Tikboy, Gel, Erwin, Donald, Lito. Miss ABL 2011 under the calabash tree. |
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| The Calabash Tree had become a friendly landmark throughout the duration of the game. At first sight ' ano kayang prutas ito? parang pakwan na parang n'yog naman .' That seemed to be what Mrs. Padalhin is telling the Ambassador. Here, the Ambassador and wife Annie, Con-Gen Lamadrid, Fely, Jabar and the 2 new embassy staff posed under the tree. |
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| Such is the enchantment of the tree - one would feel relaxed and tensions ebbed away... |
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