In the recently concluded COAlympics 2023 last March 15-16 at the Military Cut- Off Basketball Court, Team Ely from the men’s basketball division, and COA Pips under the women’s basketball division came out at the top after winning the Championship games.
Team Ely came up against the Mavericks for the championship match and won with a score of 78–66. The Mavericks secured the first ball of the first quarter, with the quarter ending in favor of team Ely, who got 18 points against 11. Team Ely got a hold of the game during the second quarter with a score of 36–29. During the third quarter, Team Ely continuously protected their lead of 58–36 despite the Mavericks’ counterattack. From one basket to another, Team Ely is unstoppable in the last quarter of the game and fires all shots in order to claim the victory, which ends the match.
Before this game, an elimination game took place between Team Ely and DubNation. With a score of 56–47, Team Ely qualified for the championship match.
When asked about their win and first experience playing in the COAlympics, Cloyd Jehiel Banasan, one of Team Ely’s key players, said, “Ang tagal na naming inaantay ‘to eh, noong online class pa”. Edwin “Ely” Balaki, the MVP of the Championship game, added, “It’s overwhelming since it’s the first time after the pandemic”. During the interview, the whole team loudly said, “Ang sarap mag-basketball!”
In the women’s basketball division, COA Pips emerged from their encounter with the Warriors with a score of 38–2. The first quarter was challenging for both teams as it ended with no baskets. The first score was made by Amayag, and this advantage was carried over by COA Pips – ending the second quarter with a score of 11 to 0. In the third quarter, COA Pips continued to dominate as they pulled away, 20–0. The Warriors finally claimed their first basket of the game during the last quarter, but it was not enough to stop the COA Pips.
In the end, Jaymaica Tumayan from COA Pips was hailed as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the women’s basketball tournament. In an interview she stated that, “It feels good kasi lahat kami sa team [is] nag-enjoy and other teams did too. Also, thankful kami sa isa’t isa, without one member, we will not be the champion, of course, and I am also grateful to all the organizers of the COAlympics, it’s a lot of effort. Still, they did their best to accommodate all members so they could enjoy and share their talents.”
An exhibition men’s basketball game also occurred where the COA All-Stars played against Kuya Pao and Friends. The Team COA All Stars included players from the different men’s basketball teams, while the COA Alumni players completed Team Kuya Pao and Friends. The game finished 93–86, and the COA All-Stars prevailed.
“Thankful kami na nabigyan kami ng opportunity na makalaro yung mga alumni, kaya binigay namin yung best namin sa laro para patunayan na may ibubuga pa ang next generation ng COA.” Cloyd Jehiel Banasan, the young blood and the MVP of the exhibition game, said.
The team captain of Kuya Pao and Friends was quoted saying, “Nakaka-excite tsaka hindi naming ine-expect na mainvite kami. Nakakapagod pero ‘di namin ine-expect na kaya pa pala naming sumabay sa kanila.”
Jaco Damatac, a former player and now an alumna, made a statement: “Masaya and enjoy makalaro sila. At least nakikita namin na ang team ng COA is in good hands and mare-represent ang department natin ng maayos. Mag-enjoy sila at huwag pababayaan ang acads nila.”
The basketball tournament ended, but the enjoyment and memories made were taken, and even in a short span of time, the students were able to take a break and enjoy the sports they love.
Writer: Annika Joy Bermudez
