(Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, joined by San Miguel Beermen power forward Arwind Santos and Universities and Colleges Athletic Association of Pampanga head Allan Trinidad, tosses the ball at the opening of UCAAP’s 2nd Delta Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center on Aug. 4. Contributed Photo)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda tossed the ball in the ceremonial jump ball as the 2nd Delta Cup of the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association of Pampanga (UCAAP) went underway at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here over-the-weekend.
Competing in the opening game were Sindalan High School versus St. Augustine Institute of Pampanga.
The squads were among the 24 teams that are vying to represent the province in the Philippine Collegiate Champions’ League (PCCL) national tournament.
Pineda told the players to be real sportsmen by sticking to game rules and avoiding brawls.
He also told them to avail of the provincial government’s summer sports training program that offers free meals and transportation allowance to young athletes and challenged them to “make Pampanga number one in basketball” especially in the professional league.
Assisting Pineda was San Miguel Beer power forward and Philippine Basketball Association’s 2013 Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos who said: “Malaking bagay itong UCAAP sa inyo. Dito pa lang may laro at exposure na kayo (The UCAAP is a big opportunity to you young players. At this level, you already have a chance to compete and show your talent).”
“Wag n’yong hahaluan ng bisyo. Dapat laging may disiplina (Don’t go into vices. Practice discipline at all times),” he advised, relating that in his case, he overcame poverty through professional basketball.
Santos used to drive pedicabs and gathered plastic bottles to sell before he was discovered, trained and managed by Pineda, an acknowledged sports patron.
Ten senior teams and 14 junior teams from 18 schools joined the basketball tournament with the champion qualifying to the PCCL.
Mary the Queen College in Guagua town and St. Augustine Institute of Pampanga in San Simon town topped last year’s 1st Delta Cup in the college and high school divisions, respectively.
UCAAP head and Delta Cup commissioner Alan Trinidad said only two players are left with the teams now as all of the players from last year’s champion team of St. Augustine Institute are now playing in Manila universities.
“Kapampangans are very lucky because we have a local version of the UAAP,” Trinidad told the young players. He said Pampanga will host the Northern-Central championship match of the PCCL, leader of the widest grassroots-based search for the best collegiate basketball teams.
The participating schools are Angeles University Foundation, Colegio de San Sebastian, City Colleges of Angeles, Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University, Holy Angel University, International School for Technology and Skills Development, Jocson College, Jose Feliciano College Foundation, Mary the Queen College, Pampanga Colleges, Pampanga High School, PSALMS, St. Nicholas College, St. Augustine Institute of Pampanga, Sta. Cruz Academy, Sindalan High School, San Vicente Pilot School for Philippine Craftsmen and System Plus College Foundation.
Meanwhile, Pineda described the league as an avenue to expose Kapampangan talents to scouts from Manila. Among Pineda’s basketball talents include Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang.
