Fathers played with sons, sons played with fathers, brothers played with brothers and all had a good bonding time as Ateneo, Mapua and Angeles Universities joined the first Universities and Colleges Alumni Basketball Competition 2014 at the PCYC Marrickville courts.
In what was perceived to be a C-grade level competition, the three teams involved gave their all in playing for their alma mater. The sons felt their father’s pride in uplifting the school spirit. The brothers showed they could enjoy their sibling’s stint on the court and show their level of competitiveness as well. And the fathers felt proud having their children play with them in a team.
First up were the Ateneo Sea Eagles and the Mapua Cardinals contest. The excitement generated in this first alumni game was something the crowd also felt. The runners, the loose balls, the banging of bodies, the missed shots, the stumbles, the laughter and camaraderie exuded during the game was immeasurable as every player enjoyed the game as well as the spectators.
Cardinals Allan Malig 8 points, Gilbert Perez 8 points, Remz Remorozo 7 points, Bernard Bautista 3 points and ex-Red Robin David Parsons 3 points were all running on leaded fuel as they kept abreast of the Ateneo lead. The Sea Eagles Jo Prochina 12 points, Henry Nayle 12 points Roger Mantua 7 points and Ryan Caparas 4 points matched every basket the Cardinals made. In the end, Cardinal Gilbert Perez gave his all to salvage a 37-all draw with the Sea Eagles.
The second game also produced an exciting game with the Sea Eagles getting the jump on the Angeles Flying Squadron as Jo Prochina 12 points Henry Nayle 10 points Ryan Caparas 9 points Roger Mantua 5 points Novarik Esmores 4 points produced enough baskets to take a 28-21 first half lead. The Angeles unit had to muster enough energy in the second half to fuel their running game with Byron Murphy 10 points, Olet Pineda 12 points, Marlon Mañas 9 points Joet Paule 6 points and Reggie Peña 5 points leading the way for a comeback 50-46 victory.
The Cardinals and the Sea Eagles figured in a knockout contest and both sides played as if there is no tomorrow. Bumps, spills, fastbreaks, short jumpers, running screens were the norm of the game. The veterans took over but it was the Cardinals playing on emotion and heart pulling away to score a 49-45 victory led by the scoring of bull-strong Perez 16 points, David ‘Skywalker’ Parsons 10 points, Jamie Uy 8 points, Man-mountain Bautista 6 points and speedster Remz Remorozo 5 points. Spearheading the Sea Eagles losing effort was Roger Mantua 13 points, Prochina 10 points, Nayle 9 points, Ryan Caparas 7 points, and Gerry Mantua 3 points.