Answered prayers

CEBU, Philippines — Answered prayers.

This is how the Talisay City AquaStars described the sweeping success they attained in the just concluded 2018 Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under-21 Developmental Basketball Tournament.

Under the command of coach Rey Gurrea, the South Division titleholder Talisay swept the North champion San Francisco in their best-of-three finals series with an emphatic 66-64 Game 2 victory to clinch the championship of the province-wide cage wars two nights ago at the Big Apple Sorts Center in San Francisco, Camotes Island.

Aside from winning the P500,000 grand prize they are set to receive on August 24 in time for the 449th founding anniversary of Cebu Province, the AquaStars also established a record for finishing the tournament undefeated in 14 games.

“Lipay kaayo ang mga opisyales, apan labaw nalipay ang yanong mga Talisaynon kay 14-0 gud, way pilde-pilde,” said Talisay Mayor Eduardo “Eddiegul” R. Gullas during their simple victory party last Thursday evening at the City Hall.

Talisay’s crowning glory further galvanized the dominance of South teams in the two-year-old league that provides hope to young and aspiring hardcourt players to get noticed by talent scouts and eventually earn athletic scholarship from schools.

It also kept the overall crown in the First District of Cebu following the ground-breaking triumph of the Minglanilla Archangels last year.

Councilor Rodi Cabigas, who is also the chairman of the Talisay City Sports Commission, said the team is more dedicated and disciplined this time compared to last season.

“Dili sila kumpleto kon mag-practice last year. Pirme lang sila kulang. Mas disiplinado na sila karon ug amo gyud sila gi-motivate og maayo,” said Cabigas.

The all-out support of Talisay LGU has also played a key role in powering the AquaStars to greater heights, something they can brag about following their disappointing early exit in the maiden season of Gov’s Cup in 2017 despite being the hotbed of basketball in southern Cebu.

“Full support gyud ang atoang Talisay LGU. Very supportive kaayo sila si Mayor Eddie Gullas, Vice Mayor Allan Bucao and Congressman Samsam Gullas mao nang nadasig sad og maayo ang ato mga players.”

Above anything else though, Cabigas said the power of prayers really worked wonders for the team.

“Amo gyud gisud sa dughan nga kinahanglan ang mga bata before sa duwa muadto gyud sa simbahan. Like kanang naa mi duwa sa South, mohapit gyud mi sa San Vicente Ferrer Parish sa Pitalo (San Fernando),” said Cabigas. “Kining among kadaogan, answered prayers ni. Amo gyud ni giampo kay ang Ginoo man maoy magbuot sa tanan bisan unsa pa kalig-on ang imong team.”