Missed opportunity

I was supposed to attend the SAC (Sportswriters Association of Cebu) fellowship last Thursday night at the Mooon Cafe initiated by John Pages but circumstances deprived me of the chance to meet with Cebu’s top crop as far as sportscribes are concerned.

I left Liloan at 6:40 pm, with the plan of picking up sports ed Manny Villaruel at The Freeman office. Since the meeting at Mooon Cafe was scheduled at 8:30 pm, we could kill some time with a few bottles of beer.

When I reached Jagobiao, traffic was at a standstill that by 8:15 pm, I was still infront of the ABS-CBN compound. Disgusted, I turned around and called it a night. The traffic pile-up was caused by a dump truck loaded with lime soil and a prime mover who decided to get acquainted in the middle of the road. The dump truck fell on its side and spilled his cargo all over the road.

I could have re-bonded with Jun Migallen, my college buddy at Cebu Central Colleges (UC today), and recall the good old days. My apologies to everyone for missing the event, specially to SAC president John Pages, who relayed the invitation.

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The benefit game last Friday for the late Lucky Pitogo was a success. The Panphil B. Frasco Memorial Sports Complex at Liloan was packed when the UV Green and Baby Lancers strutted their wares as a sign of tribute for their fallen teammate.

The Visayanian spirit was evident as more than half of the crowd who witnessed the games were either UV students or alumni. Didi Gullas was around as well as some instructors to show solidarity and unity for the noble cause. I didn’t know and was pleasantly surprised that his son, Samsam, plays good hoops.

Coach Jun Pepito organized the event in cooperation with the SK Federation of Liloan and Marlito Cañete. A substantial amount was raised which was in turn donated to the family of Lucky. He will be buried today, a promising talent forever lost.

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My congratulations to Coach Cris Mosqueda for steering the high school volleyball team to the CVIRAA title. The CVIRAA v-ball team is represented by Liloan’s Arcelo National High School. It can be noted that Cris has produced and developed athletes from scratch since way back and these guys are now making good in the collegiate wars. It is safe to say that Liloan is one of the breeding grounds for men and women’s volleyball. The team will leave for Palawan for the Palarong Pambansa slated on April 20 to 26.

However, it is sad to note that this achievement is tainted with color coming from no less than his former athletes. Coach Cris, with success comes envy. If they want to prove something, let them prove it. They might not know it but not only are they questioning you and your athletes but they are also maligning the good name of Liloan who happens to support the team. And dammit, these people even reside in the municipality. Hey Leolu, wazzup with your people?

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Sacred Heart School-Jesuits will have their secondary commencement exercises today and the grade school department tomorrow. My son Emil will graduate from high school and my daughter Ana will graduate from the elementary. No amount of wealth can measure a parent’s pride and happiness seeing their children get up the stage and recieve their diplomas. Congratulations Emil and Ana and the rest of the SHS-J graduates for a job well done..

E-mail at bobbytoohotty @lycos.com or bobby_motus @yahoo.com