Post ABL: The Best of the Ambassador Basketball League

THE BEST OF THE AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE

APRIL 3 - JUNE 5, 2011

ABUJA, FCT, NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA

...as the footsteps of a basketball player recedes into view, so are the moments of joy, sportsmanship and camaraderie... 

POST AMBASSADOR BASKETBALL LEAGUE

As the last echo of the chatters faded, blended with the rustling of the leaves, and the scent of the green grasses so fresh from the previous night’s rain melted and fused in the air, the beautiful moments formed and forged during the games will remain in the memory of all those who joined, those who cheered and those who worked in the background.

The calabash tree became a haven for the loyal fans, the luxurious grasses, their cushions.

The cooperation among players and the organizers IS unparalleled - especially for a first time event like this. Willy Brual and Gilbert Bernados led this event into fruition. It was a delight to watch before a game the helping hands extended – ‘kabalikat, kapuso, kaagapay’  - carrying tables, chairs, sound system, all the paraphernalia in the game. And every game ending, the same process was applied – nobody is ordered around – everybody instinctively and good-naturedly did the chores of clearing and cleaning the site and cheerfully anticipating…’sa Linggo ulit…’

Each one involved in this event earned the respect and friendship of one another. Though people have short memory span, the goodness experienced during the games will last longer.

Each game was duly documented by The Migrants.

...'may the force be with you'...

Willy Brual, ABL Chairman addressing the people who witnessed the finals of the league

       LIHAM NG PASASALAMAT

On behalf of ABL Committee, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who in one way or another contributed for the success of this tournament; from players  to coaches, team managers, advisers, members of committee, friends and supporters.

Special thanks to our beloved donors namely HE Ambassador Nestor Padalhin and Mrs. Annie Padalhin, Consul General Alex La Madrid, Engr. Andy Coluso, Dr. Engr. Lawrence Ekemezie, Mrs. Susan Gani, Mr. John Hernandez, Mr. Lito Nucum, Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Mercado, Ms. Vangie Novio, Mr. & Mrs. Nonito Barraquias, Mr. Antonio Santos and to all members of GC – Gentlemen’s Club of Lagos, Engr. Pat Gomez, Engr. Romulo Garrido, Engr. Joel Tiongco, Engr. Fred Borbon, Engr. Glenn Perea, Engr. Arwin Dimaano, Engr. Carlo Menes Jr., Engr. Willy Brual, Engr. Joey Pandy, Engr. Mars Montero, Arch. Renan Linas and Dr. Raul Salomon.

Sana po, sa mga susunod pa nating mga paliga ay suportahan din natin kung sino man ang maatasang mamumuno sa atin.

 Ipagpatuloy po natin ang ating pagkakaisa at panatilihin natin ang pagkakabuklod-buklod ng bawat Pinoy dito sa Abuja.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL & MABUHAY!

Willy Brual

ABL Committee Chairman

The Four Teams

YELLOW TEAM – The Philippine Embassy Team

EMMANUEL RAMOS, JR. - Captain

DOI ABRILLO/ NHUR MANGONDAYA

JAMES VALENZUELA

NELSON DIONEDA

TIRSO PERCIA

BLACK TEAM – The Black Mambas

ERWIN HERRERA - Captain

GILBERT BERNADOS

SHERWIN CAYABYAB

JOHN HERNANDEZ

NOEL AGCAOILI

DONALD TULALIAN

BENJIE NADADO

NONITO BARRAQUIAS (Coach)

BLUE TEAM – The Pink Lagooners

BERNARD MERCADO – Captain

 JR BUGAYONG

RENZ MERCADO

ENGELBERT LLAMES

DANDRIV PEREZ

ERICK FORMOSO

CHRIS ABDULLAHI

TICKBOY MERCADO (Coach)

WHITE TEAM – W@TEL

ALDRIN GIANAN  - Captain

ARON POLINTAL

BONG AREVALO

BUBOY GALLARDO

EMMEL ECRAELA

GILBERT CATUBIG

VINCENT MAMARIL

Referees: Efren Pasculado and alternately the players: Aldrin, JR (2), Sherwin, Gilbert, John, Renz

Timekeepers: Antonio Santos, Willy Brual

Scorers: Clifford, Jabar, Nestor

Keeper of the Funds: Khaye

Advisers: Vangie Novio, Lito Nucum, Bernie (Tickboy) Mercado, Nonits Barraquias

The art of shooting skills portrayed by different players with their own unique styles: (8) Doods, (13) Gel, (19) Buboy

The display of shooting skills were varied: (25) Aron, (6) Donald, (5) Noel...jumping jacks?

...and graceful, too: (13) Gel, kangaroo leap (25) Aron, and the ballerina (24) Gilbert

... an effortless throw by (3) Emmel, a backward step by (7) Erwin, and a spear-like throw by (8) Aldrin..

Styles of the blue team The Pink Lagooners: Gel, Doods, Renz

Kung-fu Masters: Aron, Erwin, Doods

Jay R and Gilbert and Jay R and Erwin

Emmel has a direct approach, Renz was in a back mode, and Gilbert jumping for the ball Nelson tossed...

The air pump: Sherwin, Nelson, Gel

Air lift: JayR, Doods with Nhur, John and Nelson, Renz and Aldrin

Free Throws can show different body language(s) as the players displayed here...

After-shocks of Free Throws: hands thrown back, bodies turned sideways...

Abrakadabra...

FREE THROWS? LEAVE 'EM!!!

Just glance, side target, face it!

Free Throws: Pose and disappear...

The art of blocking: the White Team dominates - Aldrin and Aron blocks gilbert; Vincent and Aron blocks Doods; Aron blocks Sherwin

Blocking game: Aldrin blocks Erwin; Aron blocks John; 3 whites Buboy, Bong, Gilbert block Doods...

...it's a beauty: Doods and Emmel; Gilbert and JR; Doods and Buboy...

Blocking tactics

...how'd the ball pass?

...the ultimate in blocking..up in the air: yellow vs black; white vs yellow yellow vs black

Jump and the blocker jumps with you....

...seize and one two three follow...ahh ha ha

...the art of catching the ball...Gilbert, Tirso, Aldrin, John

...either run for it and others run, too OR get it behind their back...

...or simulate diving for the ball; casually dribble it and leave them pointing; or strike a graceful pose!!!

...ball exorcism? scrambling for the ball or another dainty break?

...this IS what you call ball passing; Sherwin to Erwin; JR to Gel; Nelson to JayR

...ball passing? W@Tel does it better: soooo dainty  (sa tagalog - hindi rough? mali 'ata): Buboy to Emmel to Bong to Vincent

Best mates...ever!

...and da classic CLASH - BACK-BONE-CLASH!

BEST BLOCK: 2ND RUNNER-UP -  blue team GEL blocks GILBERT white team; FIRST RUNNER-UP - BONG white team blocks the blue...

...and da WINNER - CAPTURED FROZEN IN TIME- A CLASSIC BLOCK - TIRSO of the Yellow Team  LEAPS TO BLOCK SHERWIN of the Black Team!!!

...moments of  sheer fluid movements...

...more shooting and blocking styles...

Yellow's JayR, Black's Sherwin, Yellow's James, Blue's Doods and Yellow's Nhur, Sherwin, and Aron

...substitution, nil: to the point of exhaustion

...tumble and fall and the battle goes on...

Referees at work

Time keeper Willy with Ref Sherwin and Noel and Ref Efren - coin tosser, too. Annotator John and Khaye and Scorer  Clifford, Ref Gilbert, Scribe Vangie, Timekeeper Ernel and Jabar, and scorer Marlyn and Lyn and adding to the fun - joint broadcasting of Gel, Renz, John

Willy - that's a vote of Thanks!!!

...at sa lahat po ng mga sumubaybay sa palarong ito - maraming, maraming salamat.