After the 3X3 basketball tournament of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government ended, the Provincial Sports Office (PSO) opened another league – the Abanse Negrense Governor’s Cup 5-on-5 Basketball Tournament.
It was a tribute to the late Oscar “Dodong” Bascon for his incomparable contributions to the development and promotion of basketball all over the province.
The 21-under tournament, spearheaded by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Sports Office head Anthony Carlo Agustin, officially kicked off on November 13, at the Talisay City Gymnasium.
The Bascon family, headed by former Himamaylan City Mayor and Negros Occidental Board Member Agustin Ernesto “Tinto” Bascon and the family matriarch Carminia “Menchit” Bascon, graced the opening ceremony of the event.
Dodong Bascon’s friends, Vic Tan and Atty. Hanz Chua, were also among the special guests in attendance.
Talisay City councilors Kenn Thomas Tirthdas and Rolin Albert Meliton, sports consultant Marvin Tan, and sports coordinator Wyndell John Faisan represented Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Neil Lizares on his behalf.
Tirthdas and Meliton both gave short welcome messages, while Dodong Bascon’s son, Tinto, delivered a special message on behalf of his family.
Tinto Bascon revealed that his late father relentlessly promoted and kept the sport of basketball alive in the province through the Negros Basketball Association.
Lacson also delivered an inspirational speech in which he reiterated the significance of balancing academic performance and sports participation.
The opening ceremony also featured the parade of the teams’ respective muses.
The STI-West Negros University lady earned the first prize and received P4,000 in cash and gift certificates sponsored by the Bascon family.
Second place was awarded to the Cadiz City muse, while the Bacolod City belle ranked third. They received P3,000 and P2,000 in cash, respectively, and Bascon Cakes gift certificates.
During the Saturday and Sunday playoffs, Dumaguete City crushed the cities of Talisay and Cadiz with scores of 129-69 and 115-79, respectively.
La Consolacion College-Bacolod (LCC-B) also defeated the Bago City players with a score of 116-89, while the STI-West Negros University team beat La Carlota City with a score of 128-99.
The spectators also witnessed a thrilling elimination showdown between the EB Magalona and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) teams where the former prevailed over a closely contested match with a score of 115-112.
Talisay City also triumphed against Escalante City with a score of 111-91. Lastly, Bacolod City emerged as the victor against La Carlota City, scoring 103-93.
By organizing tournaments for high school, college, and senior age groups, Dodong Bascon, paved the way for discovering local athletes who were scouted for big leagues at national levels. Indeed, he was popularly known for his unparalleled contributions to Negros basketball.*
