YOU be the judge.
Representing the City of Golden Friendship, you might call them “friendly” as the common trait associated with Kagay-anons suggests — or a bit ruthless, after hosting the first international basketball tournament here since the pandemic.
Either way, the Cagayan de Oro Higalas delivered a commanding performance in Saturday morning’s (July 5) opener of the Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) gymnasium.
The Higalas demolished the visiting Las Vegas team in the 13-under division with a 47-point blowout, 91–44. Later,
Cagayan de Oro’s under-19 team continued the domination with an 82–61 victory over Familya DC from Washington, D.C.
Bankrolled by Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy and the city government of Cagayan de Oro, the Higalas’ under-15 squad also edged Middle East representative Last Shot Dubai, 82–78, in a closely fought noontime game at the Xavier University High School gym in uptown Cagayan de Oro.
Back downtown, the host city nearly completed a sweep of international opponents in the afternoon’s under-21 match. The Barangay Carmen Eco Warriors — Cagayan de Oro’s only team in the tourney not competing under the ‘Higalas’ banner — faced off against RAD Cebu, coached by Jop Gallardo.
Inspired by Barangay Carmen Chairman Joaquin Raineir Uy, the Eco Warriors started strong, leading by as many as nine.
However, back-to-back three-pointers and a fast break by the Cebuanos evened the game, and RAD Cebu closed the third quarter with a slim 49–47 lead.
Momentum shifted in the final quarter as the heftier Cebuanos took control and held a two-point lead, 67–65, with just five seconds left.
The home team’s final inbound play was shut down, prompting a premature on-court celebration and a heckle by Cebu guard Allen Angelo Alicando.
This triggered a brawl when Carmen’s Joshua John Joseph Sanoria threw a punch, igniting a brief free-for-all.
“Part of the game. Pero sana kung obvious na ang panalo, wala na lang kulitan para maiwasan ang gulo,” said tournament organizer Rocky Chan, speaking with fellow organizers and former PBA greats EJ Feihl and Leo Isaac after the altercation.
At least 36 teams, including 15 to 20 from abroad and loaded with Fil-Am players, are participating in the grassroots development tournament, which runs through July 11.
Launched in August 2023, Sinag Liga Asya includes three regional legs. The Luzon leg was held earlier in Pampanga with 24 teams, while the Visayas leg is set to take place in Cebu City, according to Chan, the tournament’s inaugural president.
