Agro drubs City High; Sta. Ana wins

Agro Industrial Foundation College Sea Horse clobbered Davao City National High School Vikings, 93 - 56 in the 6^th Gaisano South Cup Junior Division 1 Saturday at the GS Skygym.

In Girl’s division encounter, Hazel Isonza scored 26 points on top of 13 rebounds and 8 steals to lift Sta. Ana National High School past Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, 64 - 33.

Rodel Cabonillas came out with a double-double performance to lead Agro bounce back from a tournament opener setback.

Cabonillas poured in 18 points and secured 13 boards for Agro which lost to defending champs Holy Child School of Davao Reds in the opening game of the tournament sponsored by Abbott, P&G, Head & Shoulders and Sunsport.

Ramon Adriano Jr. and Reden Celda chipped in 15 and respectively for the Arman Villanueva mentored Agro which had a dismal performance last year ending its campaign with a 1 - 7 win-loss record.

In Cadet Category, Assumption College of Davao crushed newcomer Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai-International School, 138 - 30.

Renzar Henry Asilum, Roland John Maneja and Kritofer Miguel Tanduyan combined for 65 points with 24, 22 and 19 markers respectively to lead the scoring chores for ACD.

In Mini division, Ateneo De Davao University opened its title bid with a 73 - 33 victory over Magallanes Elementary School thanks to the double-double performance of Ralph Riggo San Miguel.

San Miguel scored 11 points on top of 11 rebounds. He also had 2 assists and 2 steals. (GS Cup press corp.)

Gaisano South (GS) Cup, Home of the Rising Stars

By: Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan of Sunstar Davao

This story was published in Sunstar Davao's August 24, 2008 issue: http://sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/08/24/sports/gaisano.south.(gs).cup.home.of.the.rising.stars.html

IT HAS embarked on a city-wide grassroots sports basketball program for the past 14 years but little has been known about how the Gaisano South (GS) Cup, formerly known as JS Gaisano Cup, specifically on how it came to be or how vast is its contributions to local sports.

Not to mention the many prominent players who played on its court just like Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants' Peter June Simon who steered the University of Mindanao (UM) Wildcats to a series of championships and earning the coveted most valuable player (MVP) for three straight years.

And who could ever forget former six-foot-nine Wildcats slotman Samigue Eman, who made quite a stir in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and now a mainstay of PBA's Magnolia Beverage Masters? He, too, was a GS Cup MVP along with UM teammate Eder John Saldua. Both cagers also had stints in the RP Team that saw action in international tournaments.

Sunday Salvacion, a former Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Bulldog, is also making a name in the pro league as a reliable member of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. He also played in Davao's longest-running cage loop as well as former Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Crusader John Paul Escobal of San Beda College in the NCAA.

Karla Palermo-Corcino, Ad and Promo Head of the Gaisano South Citimall, recalled, "It was sometime in 1994, that former owner Sir John Gaisano and Sir William "Butch" Ramirez planned the basketball program already named JS Gaisano Cup. It started out with a few teams being played at the Almendras Gym or at any gym that was available."

Humble beginnings

Corcino, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao at her office recently, said it was only in 1997 that Sir John put the league at its newly built SkyGym. The JS Gaisano Cup, which then featured college and high school divisions, at last found a place it can call home.

On the same year, according to Corcino, the GS Cup Board of Commissioners was formed to help organize the league.

"I think it was in the 3rd JS Cup in 1997 that we had our first motorcade from PTA to JS to usher the opening rites. It was like institutionalizing the league that's why we had the official logo and the rest of the staff and organizers had official shirts, too," she said.

With its noble aim to provide the city with a true and viable grassroots sports development program on basketball, the JS Cup included the mini and cadet divisions in 2000 upon the encouragement of Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) regional director Regino "Boy" Cua.

It has also introduced its own All-Star Game that attracted hundreds of spectators who filled the SkyGym to the rafters.

The girls' event was included only later and in 1999, the search for Miss JS Cup made its debut.

Corcino added: "In 2002, there was a change of management. Sir John continued the JS Cup in Gaisano Tagum while our new chairman Benito Gaisano, also wanted to keep the program. So the Gaisano South (GS) Cup was born. We're now on our eighth year. It's just the name of the league that changed but its noble objectives and good intentions for the city's youth are the same."

This year's season of the region's premier youth cagefest also made another milestone with visitors Holy Trinity College of General Santos City and Panabo State College of Davao del Norte.

"This is the biggest season ever with a total of 66 teams entered in the meet. We are very happy with this development. This just proves that the league is making a good impact on our youth and schools in the region," she said.

She said mounting up one season of the league costs the management some P700,000 or more.

She went on saying: "There was even a time, we hit P1 million but the budget was sliced in later seasons. It really costs so much considering that this is not a sales-generating event. The P7 or P10 ticket sales every game could not even cover half of the operating expenses. We are really happy that management decided to give its all-out support despite the budgetary requirements. It's a good feeling that we get to help these kids hone their skills and start a career path for them in basketball one way or the other."

Meanwhile, Joseph Encabo, chief-of-staff of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ramirez, said: "GS Cup for me is a sporting event that promotes a true talent identification program - from a raw talent to elite. This has been proven after it has produced players now playing in PBA and PBL."

Veteran sports scribe Jon Develos, who once served as member of the GS Cup board, recalled, "I think it was Joshua Ramirez of Ateneo who was named the first MVP of the league."

The GS Cup, according to tournament director Rico Jhone Biliran, has also become BAP-SBP's basis for Davao City's representation in national inter-school tournaments. A true indication that the league is indeed the true home of rising basketball stars.

Holy Trinity clobbers St. Therese; Holy Child wins in GS Cup opener

Holy Trinity College of Gen. Santos City clobbered St. Therese High School, 96 - 50 to open its title hunt in the 6^th Gaisano South Cup Junior’s Division II class Saturday at the Gaisano Grand Skygym “Home of the Rising Stars”.

HTC came out matchless at all fronts in beating the defending champions and notching its first victory in the tournament touted as the biggest and longest running school-based tournament in Mindanao.

After establishing a huge 33 points lead 53 - 20 at the half, the Pol Torrijos mentored HTC never looked back to barge into the winning column in Bracket B.

Ryan Paul Sunio top scored for HTC with 13 points but it was Willy Pasco, Jr. came out big for the Gen. Santos City-based squad with a double-double performance.

Pasco, a six-foot-one wing man, poured in 12 points on top of 13 rebounds and 2 steals.

Bonifacio Akim, Jr. paced St. Therese with 20 points.

In Junior Division 1 encounter, Holy Child School of Davao opened their title retention bid by

besting Agro Industrial Foundation College, 91 - 69.

Martin Delfinado starred for Holy Child’s victory with 18 points along with 7 rebounds and 6 steals.

Councilor’s Tomas Monteverde IV and Halila Sudagar, representing Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, graced the opening ceremony

Karla Giorgia Corcino, Gaisano Grand Citimall Ad’s and Promo chief, thanked the participating schools for their active participation and undying support to the league.

“We have a commitment to organize this exciting event every year as our contribution to the development program of basketball in Davao City, “said Corcino in her short but meaningful speech that drew round of applauses from the roaring crowd.

The tournament is sanctioned by BAP-Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas and backed by Unilever, P&G, Abbott and Sunsport. (GS cup press corp.)

Karla Giorgia Corcino, Ad's and Promo head of the Gaisano Grand Citimall, delivers her welcome remarks during the opening of the 6th Gaisano South Cup on August 16 at the Entertainment Center of the Gaisano Grand Citimall (Photo by: GS Cup press corp/Jo-arn)

6TH GS CUP OPENS TODAY

The spirit and excitement of school-based league takes center stage today (Aug. 16) as the 6^th Gaisano South Cup 2008 kicks off at the Entertainment Center of the Gaisano Grand Citimall Davao.

BAP-Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) Executive director Noli Eala will grace the opening rites set at 2 p.m.

A sparkling program was sort out to bring to light the opening of the biggest and longest running inter-school basketball tournament in Davao Region and touted as the premier school-based league in Mindanao.

“We are fired up and ready to go, “said Karla Giorgia Corcino, Gaisano Grand Citimall Ad and Promo chief.

“This is another vast season of hard court battle among the school’s not just in Davao City but including those from the neighboring cities and provinces, “Corcino added.

The tournament, which ends in December, features competition in Mini, Cadet, Girls, Junior and College categories. The junior and college class are categorized into two divisions.

From fifty eight school’s last year, a total of 66 schools including Holy Trinity College of Gen. Santos City and Davao Del Norte State College of Panabo City will dispute for glory and honors in the five division league in this year’s season.

“The participation of Holy Trinity College and Davao Del Norte College is an affirmation of the GS Cup’s huge following, “said Corcino.

The annual search for Ms. GS Cup 2008 is expected to add color to the opening rites which will be graced also by celebirty guest Roxanne Guino-o.

Choreographed by Corcino, the 10 lovely ladies from various participating schools will show their wares in the short but fitting contest.

Three games will open the five-monthlong tournament sanctioned by BAP-SBP and backed by Unilever, Head & Shoulder, P&G, Abbott and Sunsport.

Gensan's HTC to see action in GS CUP 08

A powerhouse junior basketball varsity team from Gen. Santos City will test the mettle of the Davao City schools when the forthcoming 6^th Gaisano South Cup 2008 gets going on August 16 at the Gaisano Grand Citimall Entertainment Center.

Holy Trinity College has confirmed its participation in the juniors category of the league, touted as the biggest school-based basketball tournament in Mindanao.

HTU, under head coach Pol Torrijos, is also planning to join in the college division.

“ We are every grateful to the men and women of GS Cup for allowing to us to join. GS Cup is no ordinary tournament, its a big league wherein our players , surely, could get essential exposure, “ said Torrijos.

Karla Georgia Palermo-Corcino, Gaisano Grand Citimall Davao Ad and Promo chief, said the participation of HTU is an affirmation of the GS Cup's huge following.

“It's also our pleasure to have HTU in this year's season as its our thrust to help the youth of today, wherever they come from, to hone their skills in the sport and develop their character to become better individuals-that's the true genius of GS Cup, “ added Corcino.

A total of 66 teams have been invited to take part in mini, cadet, girls, juniors and college categories in this years season.

Deadline of submission of entries for mini, cadet, girls and junior divisions will be on July 30, 2008 while August 30 for the college category.

Coaches meeting will be on August 9 at the 8^th floor Gaisano Grand Corporate Center.

Bigger, better GS Cup opens Aug. 16

The Gaisano South Citimall is gearing up once again for another non-stop hard court basketball season this year for all Davaoeños with the staging of the 6th Gaisano South Cup “The Game of the Rising Stars”.

Over 60 teams have been invited to see-action in the five division tournament, the longest running basketball league in the region, which kicks off on August 16.

The five month-long tournament from August to December features competition in mini, cadet, girls, juniors and college category. The junior and college class are categorized to two divisions.

“We are now preparing for this year’s season, ironing out the kinks to ensure the successful turn out of the league, “said GS Citimall advertising and promotions head Karla Georgia Palermo-Corcino.

“This is our 6^th year and we are more inspired and determined to work hard with the highest level of urgency and passion to advance the best interest of the league, “ the energetic ad’s and promo chief added.

The GS Cup is gradually creating a legacy in providing an avenue for the young Davaoeño basketball players with potential where they could enhance their skills towards a bright future and aims to develop sportsmanship and camaraderie.

It was noted that in the preceding season gym attendance had skyrocketed to at least twenty percent, indicating the warm salutation of the city’s basketball fanatics.

The GS Cup has been receiving overwhelming applause from the Davao City sports stakeholders since it was organized several years back due to its gigantic contribution to the sports development program as far as the country’s most popular sport is concerned.-pr-