The Philippine Basketball Association of Winnipeg represented another big delegation of athletes to the Annual Labor Day Inter City bazketball tournament for Filipino Basketball Association of North America hosted by Detroit. We brought all 12 Teams from Mosquitoes to the Masters Division.We started the weekend by Winning The Miss FBA NA of 2017.Patricia Mae Ocampo also won the Miss PBA 2017 during our opening ceremonies.It is the second year that we won the award so its a back to back.
Majority of our teams were 2 -0 after the first day. Mosquito Divison Coach by Mike Ragasa and John Medina went to the Finals.its also a back to back Finals for them losing to a much bigger team from DURHAM…TYKES Div under Coach Arsenio dela Cruz and Coach Jomar Guaring was also a dominant team.They were beating teams over 30pts and went to beat a tougher team in Chicago for Winnipeg 1st of 2 championships.Congratulations to John Mallari winning MVP Award….The Peewee Div under Coach Jomar Guaring and Coach Randy Caparas was also a very strong team. I stayed and watched most of their games and everyone in the crowd was amazed how this kids play.We lost to a much bigger Bolingbrook team in the finals. Bantam Boys unddr Coach Eldrin Gelli and Coach Jason Masangkay did really well also with 2-2 record losing to Chicago in the semi finals…The Bantam Girls by Coach Ron Balingit was also in the Finals but could’nt pass a very strong Missassauga Team They promised to be back stronger next year. Junior Boys Team with Caoch Ruel Maranan,Coach Romel Dimaunahan and Coach Ric Guerra was also in the Finals. Shawn Maranan cramping early in the second half and could not recover..The rest of the boys stepped up but came up short. Juvenile Boys under Coach Iggy Grenivsky did well also.Without any superstar they battled only to lose in the semifinal against Austin San Antonio Team.Our Ladies Open with Coach Arsenio after starting out with 3-0 record, they lose to Missassauga in the Semi final also.But the girls played really well this year.Seniors Team under Coach Alvin Mansilungan also had a good start.3-0 but they came up short against Austin San Antonio Team in the semifinal..Our Masters Div struggled in the first game and lost to Detroit by over 10pts and became the Champions of the tournament.
Our Mens Open with Coach Rob Adelantar went 4-1 losing to Toronto by 2 points on a buzzer beater capturing the Championship. Our 6ft Under Divisions with Coach Leo Sadiua was The dominant team.They went undefeated and Won their first ever Championship.Congrats to Chris Demeulon Bartolay winning the MVP…I wanna personally Thank All the working Volunteer Coaches of Team Winnipeg.Our friends that supported us all the way…mr.Jun Urbano, Mr. And Mrs Gil and Alice Salunga of Maples Insurance, Mr Rhomy Munoz of Munoz Silk Screen Printing, Mr. Randy Viray of Randy Viray Financial Services, and to Mr.Loreto Opinga of Loralee Apparel and Most especially to my Amazing PBA Cpmmitees Thank You all very much.
Photos by Riz Mapue
