DUBAI: Some 11 teams participated in a recent basketball tourney, named “Ligligang Kapampangan” which was highlighted by a wonderful parade of muses and team leaders.
Touted teams, Lubao and Floridabanca lived up to their fans’ expectations as they waylaid their respective opponents when the inaugural tournament kicked off at Al Wasl Sports Club.
In an effort to unify Kapampangans in the Gulf, Luid Cabalen UAE, an organization of Kapampangans in UAE, gathered all Kapampangans in the two-day event, highlighted by an inter-color basketball showdown. Side shows include Zumba and bingo.
The event was spearheaded by Patrick Narciso, Luid Cabalen president; Jose De Leon Sunglao, Jr., vice president; Carlos Tuangco, operations head; Edward Balagtas, Luid Cabalen administration head; and Ross Vy; league commissioner. Luid Cabalens administration team was composed of Marlo Ocampo and Mark Anthony Ocampo who contributed in the overall success of the event.
Meantime, Patrick Navarro, Florida’s main guy, was unstoppable as he led his team through an 87-74 squeaker over the equally formidable Mabalacat team bannered by Jay De Jesus, who put in a team high 16 points. Floridablanca dominated the match as the team led from start to finish. Navarro collected 21 points and was later adjudged as Best Player of the Game.
Lubao opened the tip with a rout over Arayat, 74-53. Thomas Raymund Gumila paced the Lubao team with 17 points. Gumila wreaked havoc and gave Arayat team a hard time to recover. Joel Lazatin backstopped Arayat with 12 points.
Apalit scored an upset over the fully loaded Tarlac team with a convincing 84-77 win. Apalit utilized speed and withstood Tarlac height advantage and cruised past the Tarlaquenos. Lester Hipolito and Randy Punzalan paced Apalit with 23 and 19 points respectively. Slasher Aries Bautista anchored Tarlac with 17 points.
San Roque Dau also shared limelight as the team repulsed San Fernando, 67-59. Christian Ocampo had 19 points to spearhead SRD’s campaign. San Fernando’s Glenson Galvez, who suffered minor injury, took over San Fernando’s cudgels with 11 points.
