Young Boholanos in Metro Manila hold 2nd sports festival

Young Boholanos based in Metro Manila hailing from different towns inBoholand coming from different professions converged for the much-awaited sports festival. The Association of Young Boholanos in Metro Manila (AYBM), led by its President, Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado, hosted the 2nd AYBMlympics: the AYBM Sports Festival with a theme “It’s More Fun in AYBM”, which will run from March until May of this year.

The opening ceremony was held last March 4, 2012 at theSpecial Action Force Covered Court, Camp Bagong Diwa,TaguigCity. The ceremony started with a prayer led by former seminarian Ted Jonathan Visarra followed by the singing of the National Anthem and Awit saBoholled by Ms. Ethel Manlupig ofTagbilaranCitywho is working as an accountant at Sycip, Gorres & Velayo (SGV). AYBM’s Board of Trustees Chairperson, Mary Catherine Biliran of Loay, Senior Director of SGV, welcomed the participants while the President, Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado of Tubigon, who works forCVCLaw Firm, gave an inspirational speech sharing the story of Derek Redmond who got injured during the 400-meter Finals during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics but stood-up and finished the race limping with only one foot.

After the inspirational speech, the AYBMlympics Cauldron was lit by the representatives of the four teams namely: Sam Penaso of Guindulman (Yellow), Fortunato Tuba of Batuan (Blue), Edwin Delos of Anda (Green) and Alexis Caesar Padillo (Red). After the flames flared into the air, the President declared the games open and the hostilities begun with the elimination round of the Basketball event.

For the first game of the Basketball elimination, the Green Hornets, led by Jefferson Pono who scored 36 big points, trounced the Yellow Tigers as Mark “The Spark”Santander’s 38-point production cannot salvage the Tigers from defeat. The Green Hornets won the game 78-75. In the second game, the tournament-favorite Blue Marlins routed the Red Scorpions 88-78 as former college slotman, Leo Amatorio, scored 34 points ably assisted by Stephen “The Spitfire” Buligan and Carlo “Air Loay” Biliran. Former Tagbilaran City Science High School Virus phenom, Magnus Bantugan, led the Red Scorpions with 34 points. In the last game for the first day of the Basketball eliminations, Red Scorpions bounced back from their loss edging the Green Team 70-69 led by their scoring machine Bantugan. Anklin Galoso’s 38-point output failed to save the Green Hornets from incurring their first loss in the tournament.

The opening day ended with an exhibition game between the Young Boholanos Selection against the Special Action Force Basketball Team, runner-up of thePNPNational Basketball Championship. The host won the game 86-84 led by its commanding officer, Major Rosales, scoring 18 points, while Leo Amatorio led the young Boholanos scoring 30 points.

The AYBMlympics will not be successful without the able help of the Sports and Wellness Committee chair, Mr. Emmanuel Padua ofTagbilaranCity, Engr. Cromwell Flores of Loay, Engr. Luz Salvo of Loboc, Engr. Dina Talan of Loay and Col. Jonas Amparo and Major Avenido, the BoholanoPNPofficials who helped secure the permit to use the facilities. The succeeding events will be as follows Bowling (March 11), Badminton (April 15 and 22), Volleyball (April 28), Culmination and Filipino Games (May 6). (By: Kahlil Lester O. Camba)