CJ Liwanag under coach Jolas, Whitecourt Filipino sportsfest, Crosstown Auto Centre-PSABasketball Camp, 116 players join 3rd Corpus Christi golfest, Co-Ed volleyball in Morinville

CJ Liwanag under coach Jolas, Whitecourt Filipino sportsfest, Crosstown Auto Centre-PSABasketball Camp, 116 players join 3rd Corpus Christi golfest, Co-Ed volleyball in Morinville


I’m really glad to know that CJ Liwanag, our local star in the Philippine Sports Association (PSA) Leagues, got a spot in the Far Eastern University basketball team in the Philippines.
His father Francis, a PSA official, said that he is currently trained by the famous Jojo “Jolas” Lastimosa, his strength and conditioning coach. Lastimosa, known as the PBA Jordan in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), now serves as assistant coach at FEU with other famous former PBA players-turned coaches Olsen Racela, Vic Pablo and Johnny Abarrientos.
This is a very exciting development.

We hope that CJ will grow as a player and adapt the Philippine brand of basketball. He is still very young at 18 and keep praying guys that he will stay healthy and strong because he will see action for the FEU in the UAAP when the time comes. I mentioned this because another PSA Leaguer, Virlou Orquez was actually the first to go to the Philippines and even suited up for the Adamson University last year, however, he unfortunately suffered an ACL tear. He is well recuperating and we hope we will see him in action soon!

Back to CJ.

When CJ does very well in the UAAP, he will be an attraction to the PBA team owners. That is the ultimate goal, to play for a professional league in the Philippines.
We wish you all the best CJ and the Liwanag family!

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My congratulations to organizers Johnley Camposano and Ken Bardilas for the success of the 2019 Whitecourt Filipino Sportsfest which was supported by Fountain tire, Eagle river Casino, Mountain PIzza and Chef Ryan Palisoc.

Teams from Spruce Grove, Peace River, Edson, Fox Creek and host Whitecourt took part in the sportsfest organized to promote camaraderie in the Filipino community.

The visiting Edson squad played an exhibition game against host Whitecourt in the Under-15 basketball and individual awards were given to Charl Andre Gatchalian, Elriel Andrei Roman, John Charles Quilongquilong, Lexuz Morana and Ethan Gornal as members of the Mythical Five.

The Atomic Ravens of Spruce Grove ruled the volleyball event, besting the efforts of the Edson Spikers. The Whitecourt Blue Eagles placed third. Most valuable player honors went to Ivy Severa and the other awardees were Briane Maribbay (best setter), Edelyn Sangalang (best spiker), Erich Cartagena Francisco (best blocker), Jana Bardilas (best scorer) and Rochelle Rendole (best receiver).

Host Whitecourt Crusaders topped the men’s basketball event over the Celebrity Knights. Edson Honda landed at third.

Whitecourt’s Ralph Anthony Tutaan emerged as MVP. Selected to the Mythical Five were Vince Elcid Cababat (Whitecourt), Justine Loberiza (Celebrity Knights), John Gaces (Edson Honda), J-son Locquiao Elefante (Whitecourt) and Glen Sunga (Edson Honda).

Congratulations mga Kababayan ko and we are looking forward to another successful Filipino sportsfest!

* * *
The Philippine Sports Association (PSA) in partnership with Crosstown Auto Centre successfully organized the two-day Under 15 Basketball Camp, August 17 to 18, at the Saville Centre.
PSA president Gary Perpetua was very delighted of turnout and thanked the parents for supporting their event.

The PSA has been an awesome partner of Crosstown Auto Centre in the conduct of basketball tournaments for the Filipino community for years now. I was really impressed when Gary said that they now have 60 plus teams joining every year.

Crosstown Auto’s entry to the Filipino basketball scene would never be possible without the help, of course, of its dealer-principal Joe Medina. Kuya Joe, when he has the time, plays in the PSA League too.

Congratulations PSA and Crosstown Auto!

* * *
Another successful sports event that happened was the 3rd Corpus Christi Parish Golf Tournament, August 17, at the Leduc Golf Club.

Tournament chairman Kuya Joseph Duenas they attracted 116 players this year.

The team of Kit Abuan, Jay Abuan, Ferdie Maingat and Fr.Paul Moret emerged as this year’s team champion. Crosstown Auto’s Joe Medina, Avelino Madlangsacay, Amando de Guzman and Rudy Zalazar placed second. The team of Manny Aviles, Dindo Tipon, Zozimo Gabriel and Gerry Sulit landed at third place.

Kuya Joseph thanked the sponsors and players for supporting their tournament that has raised money for the Parish’ Building Fund. Deacon Gem Mella served as this year’s co-chairman.
Crissy Ong, who I noticed has been using the social media to keep on promoting the golfest, Joan Kabotoff, Marie Mudry, Gene Mudry, Randy Phililips, Alfred De Sousa, Ardie Korte, Giselle Horne and other volunteers made the tournament very successful because of their help.

Kevin Korte won the 50/50 draw and donated the $460 win to the Corpus Christi Parish Building Fund. Thanks Kevin!

We are now looking forward to the 4th edition of the tournament next year!

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On August 25, a Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament is set at the Morinville Leisure Center.

Filipino volleyball leagues are usually organized with two divisions, men’s and women’s, but this one-day league would probably be easier to organize because it’s Co-Ed. So If you love to play the sport, tell your friends, men and women to form a team and call the organizers.

Registration fee is $150 per team and you can contact Dale at (780) 915-3082.

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We are again calling our Kababayans to let us know of your sports events in Alberta so we can include it in our Sports Journal. Email us at mocolumnist@albertafilipinojournal.com.

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