By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Dr. Richard Gabayoyo, the current West Visayas State University (WVSU) Sports Director and Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) president of the League of Sports Directors in Western Visayas, successfully organized a two-day sporting event as a treat to the Guimarasnons.
Planned in tribute to his birthday, the amiable and hardworking sports personality’s goal in spearheading such a sports event is to give back to his hometown and help discover more Guimarasnon athletes.
The Sports Extravaganza event with the theme “Celebration of Life by sharing passion and excellence in Sports” showcased the skills and the sporting talents of the Guimarasnons from July 1-2 held at Buenavista.
Dr. Gabayoyo and his organizing committee brought in basketball tournaments, volleyball tournaments, and a slam-dunk competition that dazzled the province of Guimaras.
During the first day of the event, the One Day Guimaras Basketball League kicked off the festivities with the presence of Mayor Samuel T. Gumarin and SEA Games Bronze medalist Joida Gagnao.
Team Unli Rice went on to clinch the championship title with team Falcons as the first-runner ups and Glaidimer Clint winning Best Player of the Game honors.
After the Guimaras Basketball League, a Volleyball All-Star game took place at Buenavista which was flocked by a huge crowd due to the presence of Camille Lamina, the pride of Guimaras who recently won a championship title with the National University Lady Bulldogs in the women’s volleyball.
Two events electrified the venue in the morning: The Guimaras men’s and women’s All-Star volleyball games which were followed by the jaw-dropping Slam-Dunk competition at 2:30 PM.
Michael Joe Igpuara rose to the occasion and was hailed as the Slam-Dunk competition champion and got the better of Joered Sorongon and EJ Secorata.
To cap off the second-day sporting event, the Jr. Guimaras Leopards took on the challenge of going up against the selection of Gef’s Builders in a basketball exhibition match.
The young and upcoming Jr. Guimaras team prevailed over the veterans of Gef’s Builders, 72-60, and is under the tutelage of Dr. Gabayoyo.
The organizing committee headed by Dr. Gabayoyo would like to thank Mayor Gumarin, Board Member Cecile Gumarin, PESOM Construction, Creek Side, Oden Aluminum Glass Supply and Services, Dennis Lamina, Totie Gambol, Nilyn Store, Ronalyn Gallo, and Hernando Galve.
