LONGING so long for belongingness, sepak takraw ― which has been surprisingly under-appreciated despite faring well for Northern Mindanao’s cause in the national sports arena ― finally found a home in Misamis Oriental.
Through the Paglaum sports program of Governor Peter ‘Sr Pedro’ M. Unabia, the local sepak takraw community successfully held a cash-rich tournament that spiced up the recent fiesta celebration of Balingasag town.
Held January 21-22 at the Barangay Cogon covered court in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, the two-day tourney that offered close to P20,000 in total cash prizes plus trophies and medals assembled the finest sepak takraw athletes from all over Northern Mindanao.
Not so long ago, the Northern Mindanao team powered by the Barangay Bonbon athletes of Cagayan de Oro emerged as champion twice in the Palarong Pambansa.
The majority of those champion athletes took part in the exciting Balingasag Sepak Takraw Tournament which is expected to be followed by more similar competitions in Lugait, Villanueva, and some other municipalities in Misamis Oriental province.
Already, Paglaum Sports overseer Chrysostom ‘Tammy’ Cailing assured the takraw group of the Provincial Capitol’s support for its coming events.
“Sa una magpraktis sa Capitol ground in Cagayan de Oro City mga binatilyo pa ‘mi and kulang suporta nihit gyod kaayo mga padula sa sepak takraw. Karon minyo naa na mi’y mga anak padayon lang gihapon. Dako among kalipay nga ang MisOr misagop sa among sport unta mag tuloy-tuloy na ‘ni,” said one of the athletes in a heart-to-heart talk with Cailing.
“Perhaps lisod mapansin ang sepak takraw kay matod pa sa among former coach Danilo Jimenez nga bag-ohay lang gyod mipanaw lisod kini nga sports discipline dulaon. Pero kon naay padula dayohon gyod bisan sa taga-lagyo nga susama namo nga mga takraw faithful,” added Palaro veteran Mark Ian Sadlucap.
Bukidnon’s Geordz Apparel of coach Jordan Elloren composed of Abdul Nasser De Los Santos, Elcor Cuajotor, Michael Anthony Dela Peña, and Pagadian reinforcement Algin Maghuyop defeated their much younger CDO-STC counterparts, 15-12 in the final to go home P8,000-richer.
It was Bukidnon’s four consecutive title reign in Balingasag with its selected battle-tested players in tow.
The Cagayan de Oro-STC comprised of Panfilo Torres, James Jason Calgas, Joshua Pelias, Jay Ebrona, and coach Peter Romorosa settled for the first runner-up prize of P6,000.
Host Balingasag made up of Xelander Padua, Angelo Agcopra, Eddieson Anzuma, Ace Roañoa, and Joel Virata whipped the veterans of Bonbon-Cagayan de Oro, 15-7 for the second runner-up purse of P4,000.
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