Amirax wins over Quickly Premium Bubble Tea by just two points, 1st Gan Soo Do league

Amirax wins over Quickly Premium Bubble Tea by just two points, 1st Gan Soo Do league
Amirax, coached by Joe Simon (2nd from left, standing) with players and their family members pose for posterity after winning the 2018 St. Albert Ballers Club, Nov.17, at the St.Albert High School.

I don’t know if it was intentional or not when our good friend Dodo de Guzman entered the court wearing the Crosstown Auto Centre jersey during the recent 2018 St. Albert Ballers Club Basketball League.

As a result, referee Jonas Iral blew the whistle citing a rule that players should wear the official uniform. Dodo thought he brought his Quickly Premium Bubble Tea-United Express Cargo uniform but later on found out that the Crosstown Auto jersey was the only one in his bag.

Dodo! That’s the problem when you play in various Filipino basketball leagues, so many uniforms to wear, hahahaha. Technical tuloy!

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Jojo Malagum of Quickly Premium Bubble Team-United Express Cargo holds on to the ball as Amirax’s Lem Baui tries to steal it from him during the finals of the 2018 St. Albert Ballers Club League, Nov.17, at the St.Albert High School. Amirax won, 73-71.

Philippine Media Association of Alberta’s Lito Velasco of the Filipino Journal and Rolan Latorre of World FM 101.7 Himig Pinoy, who is actually a long-time basketball referee, took the time to watch the final game between Amirax Mortgages and Real Estate and Quickly Premium Bubble Tea-United Express Cargo that Saturday morning, Nov.17, at the St. Albert High School gym.

It was actually an exciting game with Amirax scoring a come-from-behind victory, 73-71. Leandro Baui, who was out for a year because of a knee surgery, was back in action and emerged as the most valuable player for Amirax.

Dondon Tagufa was awarded final’s MVP trophy. Selected to the mythical five were Baui, Tonton Adefuin, Joshua Martos, Richard Haro and Oliver Branzuela while the defensive team awardees were Aren Perez, Earl Orquez, T.Adefuin, Ralph Tutaan and O. Oliver. Adefuin bagged the best defensive player award.

Juff Sampaga, Blake Olado, Wayne Agbang, Floyd Eyao and Arcien Fallarcuna were chosen to the playmaking team with Eyao winning the best play maker award. Voted to the Rainbow Team were Baui, Virson Orquez, Cage Abella, Umali and John Cabahug with Baui winning the rainbow king award.

Best coach award went to Alvin Mapa and best uniform award to Team Knights.

Team Knights placed third and Fort Saskatchewan Montana’s BBQ & Bar took the fourth spot.

The organizing Unity of chairman Richard Betilia, commissioner Dominic Narbonita, director Jonas Iral, head commissioner Dennis Dacles, committee members Marci Ventura, Cathy Narbonita, Isko Hilario, Jay-r Carrasca, Bakks Santos and Jhel Iral thanked the players for participating in the league and FilCan Cars for sponsoring the league.

See you in the next league!

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Master Steve S. Grandeza (extreme left) with tournament officials and winners of the 1st Gan Soo Do League, December 1, at the UFC Gym in Red Deer.(Contributed photo)

Gan Soo Do made history in Canada when it organized its 1st Gan Soo Do League, December 1, at the UFC Gym in Red Deer.

Gan Soo Do, started by grandmaster Chingi Grandeza in the Philippines, is currently being promoted by his grandson master Steve S. Grandeza in Canada at the UFC gym and the recent league he organized it with master Byron Marundan. Masters Julius Galve, roman Adrich Cuison, Fr.Carlos Jimenez, SVD, Fr.Jun Ibay also came to Red Deer to serve as judges.

Special awards were also given to Matthew Lambert, Red Knights Gan Soo Do; Don Tecson, best fighter; Felicia Crowe, sportsmanship; Pamela Drever, most improved fighter; Benjamin Mill, most disciplined, Alexis Biel, most courageous fighter.

Team B Captains Emily Berg and Maria Mill emerged as champion in the group kata/hyungs competition while Team A Cage Crushers’ Matthew Lambert and North Cacal placed second and Team B Cage Crushers’ Pamela Drever, Rose Vargas and Jessica Belter took the third spot.

Mill won the individual kata/hyungs competition, besting Lambert and Berg who placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

The other results:
Special bout GSD/Kickboxing: Champion, Matthew Lambert, 2nd, Donato Tecson. Women’s Division: Champion, Jessica Belter, 2nd, Maria Mill, 3rd, Rose Vargas.

Class A: Champion, Jimmy Abril, 2nd, Emily Berg, 3rd, North Cacal.
Class B: Champion, Matthew Lambert, 2nd, Dylon Featherstone, 3rd, Brendan Takekoshi.
Mosquito Division: Champion, Abygayle Belter, 2nd, Benjamin Mill, 3rd, Annabelle Belter.
Mini Division: Champion: Marcus Andal, 2nd, Alexander Mill, 3rd, Elila Biel.
Juniors Division: Champion, Tristan Tecson, 2nd, Keith Odevillas.

To the organizers at UFC gym Red Deer and participants, congratulations!

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Again, we are call members of the Filipino sports community in Alberta Province to keep us posted of your events by emailing us at mocolumnist@albertafilipinojournal.com or giving us a call at (780)807-4743.

To all sports-loving Albertans, Merry Christmas and let us continue to be involved in sports, either as athletes or sponsors!

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