LA TRINIDAD 1 DEFENDS TITLE AGAINTS BEEFED UP BOKOD, TUBA, KAPANGAN TEAMS

September 29, 2024 Community Billboard

2nd Yap Congressional Cup

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Defending champion La Trinidad 1 added front court on its already formidable line up for their title retention in the 2nd season of Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup Basketball League. La Trinidad 1 added Bryan Estepa to its line up to augment big men and reigning finals Most Valuable Player Armando Pollante and Jeffrey Buton at the painted area. Not to mention Neil Ryan Ulep and Clyde Habon who provide the muscle under the ring. The Cordillera Career Development College stalwart Ulep, was instrumental in Trinidad I’s two game romp to the title against eliminations topnotcher Bokod.

Ulep had a double whammy last year as CCDC defeated top seed University of Baguio for the Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League basketball title, its first since 2009. Ulep reunites with fellow Admiral Will Keane Lee, one of Trinidad’s most constant presence, sweet shooting Jason Alvaran and Kean Zackery Diaz. Jamil Sultan, Elton Tayab and Russel Tuazon are also returning to provide extra muscle for Trinidad’s quest for a second straight title.

“Aside from Bryan, we will also add (Aaron) Nang-is to the team,” said coordinator Dennis Billanes. Nang-is is one of the more explosive Trinidad II players off CCDC. The Jhong del Rosario mentored squad, however, is looking forward to see what former Saint Louis University Navigators team captain Shawn Aquisay, one of the most heralded players in the Baguio and Benguet basketball leagues. “He is much better now,” summed fellow rookie Jhervie Calivo, who will suit up for Tuba, which is expected to be one of the teams to watch despite losing coach Romulo Rimando, Jr. who died of cancer earlier this year.

Calivo could be the most heralded “rookie” this season in the same way as Aquisay is in what could be the biggest showdown between new comers. Calivo was with the Baguio College of Technology squad along with Pollante that faced the University of the Cordilleras led by the Buenaventura brothers – Joh Ric and June Rey– in the 2016 BBEAL finals. UC won that showdown. The now Gerry Estranero mentored Tuba squad will parade practically the same line up composed of young players of Raxl Apilado, Fruto Lozadas of BCT, Benedict Antonio, Ian Bernal John Cedric Pugong and reigning MVP Cyril de Vera but has added three players that could spell the difference this season. Aside from Calivo, the mayor Clarita Sal-ongan squad finally got the service of Jason Tobias and a possible Pollante buster in Aldwin Guzman.

“Guzman could neutralize tournament,” said Calivo in the vernacular. Tuba, which seeks to improve on its fourth-place finish last season, has also tapped former UC coach and recently co-mentor of UB Fernando Antonio. The
BuenaventuraPollante as seen in the Mamitas brothers join Rey Gabino, Darwin Fernandez, Jovencio Caleno and Shane Balnges in an attempt to improve on its bridesmaid finish last year. Nestor Cuilan, Jr. is back healthy and will join his squad after missing out last year due to a hand injury sustained during a typhoon. Cuilan nearly severed three of the digits of his right hand when he pulled a bamboo which cut said hand.

The former CCDC stalwart hopes to make an impact in his return. Bokod is also expecting good numbers from former UB big man Rey Bilibli, who is suiting up this season of the players from the Ambuklao Dam. After beating Trinidad in the eliminations, Bokod was trounced twice in the finals, including a hard to swallow second game defeat when it came back from a huge deficit and failed to take the lead when Gabino’s lay up swirled around the rim before falling out that proved as the series and season back breaker.

Former UC big man returns with Kim Padawag, Jan Ganilo and Sachi Caballero to improve on their third place finish last season. While this iteration of Itogon misses Jan Zendrick Manzano due to an injury and moved to an assistant coach position as well as long distance hitter Ferdinand Sapalong move to Kapangan, the team hopes to get quality minutes from Mankayan transferee Lenz Antolino. On October 13, the Cong. Yap – Women’s Volleyball Championship fires off.

Pigeon Lobien/ABN