FRANCIS Zamora and Vergel Meneses emerged as the big winners among sportsmen who participated in the 2019 midterm elections, while Gilas Pilipinas mentor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao loses anew in his bid.
Zamora, who was part of De La Salle University Green Archers’ champion team in the 2000s, ended the close to five decades reign of the Estradas in San Juan City after he defeated Janella Ejercito Estrada by a wide margin.
PBA legend and former Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers head coach Vergel Meneses, on the other hand, was elected as Bulakan, Bulacan mayor beating relative Piccolo Meneses.
PBA player agent Matthew Manotoc emerged as the new Ilocos Norte governor, while actor and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for fencing Richard Gomez was still Ormoc’s mayor.
NorthPort Batang Pier team owner Mikee Romero and Manny Pacquiao associate Eric Pineda, meanwhile, earned congressional seats as representatives of 1Pacman partylist.
Earning councilor seats were former PBA players’ Dondon Hontiveros (Cebu City), Paul Artadi (San Juan), Nur Jam Alfad (Jolo, Sulu), Yoyong Martirez (Pasig) and Renato Agustin (San Fernando, Pampanga)
Also winning seats in their respective city councils were SWU coach Yayoy Alcoseba (Cebu City), Adamson Falcons coach Franz Pumaren (Quezon City), Falcons assistant Jack Santiago (Navotas), MPBL coach Elvis Tolentino (Marikina), former Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis (Paranaque), Perpetual Altas forward GJ Ylagan (Gumaca, Quezon), racer Tyson Sy (Valenzuela), and UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag (Makati).
National team mentor and NLEX Road Warriors head coach Guiao, meanwhile, loses anew for the congressional seat in Pampanga’s first district, while former Ginebra player Peter Aguilar also lost his vice mayoralty bid in Sasmuan, Pampanga.
Taekwondo chief Monsour del Rosario was also unfortunate as Makati City Vice Mayor, while former taekwondo athlete Ali Atienza failed to win in the congressional race in Manila’s fifth district.
Also failing to land councilor seats were former PBA player Don Allado in San Juan, former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles volleyball player Ish Polvorosa in Imus, Cavite and PBA referee Nestor Sambrano in Bocaue, Bulacan.
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Close to 500 teams from across the country are set to compete in the 6th Ceres Cup this weekend at the Ceres FC North Field, Sta. Maria Football Field and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College football field – all in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
This 7-A-Side tournament will feature the following age-groups: Day-1 include mixed 9 (born 2010 & after), boys 11 (born 2008 & after), boys 14 (born 2005 & after), girls 14 (born 2005 & after), boys 16 (born 2003 & after), Ladies 18 (born 2001 & after) and Men 40 (1979 & before).
Day-2 will have mixed 10 (born 2009 & after), boys 12 (born 2007 & after), boys 15 (born 2004 & after), girls 16 (born 2003 & after), boys 18 (born 2001 & after), Ladies Open and Men’s Open.
This event has been a vision of Ceres FC manager Leo Rey Yanson to provide a football festival which aimed at giving enthusiasts the opportunity to foster and exhibit sportsmanship in a competitive, safe, and friendly environment.
Unknowingly, it became an encouragement and promotion of football development in the country making it the most popular in terms of participation aside from being an example of sports tourism./PN
