JSAG PEEWEES: THE WONDER KIDS
“Wonderful” is the word that best describes how our PeeWee boys team (age 12 under) fared out this year. If the Juniors team of last year were the ones that kept us at the edge of our seats, this year, my hands-down choice as the “wonder team” of 2006 would be our PeeWees.
It was exhilarating to notice how many of them have matured into seasoned players worthy of notice in only a year’s time. In the three games played, they all showed the true character and spirit that JSAG stands for: never-say-die and give it all you’ve got, but do it with poise and a flair for style.
The coaching staff this year, headed by Bong Dizon and assisted by Toti Felibrico and Cesar Angeles, came through and molded this team into a fighting unit that could not be taken lightly. Very noticeable this year was a more organized and cohesive team, with set rotations of players, use of elaborate offensive and defensive plays and most importantly, teamwork… teamwork… teamwork!!!
The first game was played against a more experienced and taller team from Toronto . The boys played inspired ball and were able to dominate most of the game, answering tit-of-tat whatever the opposing team tried to throw at them. Our PeeWees won handily by 5 points to set a good start for the tournament.
As they advanced, they were set-up against powerhouse SIPAG ( New York ) for their second game. For this one, they fell behind early and could never recover. SIPAG dominated the game with a more experienced and bigger line-up.
The next day (Sunday morning), JSAG was pitted against Brampton . This is one game I will never forget!
Our boys were able to rally in the latter part of the second half. Clutch plays by point-guard Nino Calingo, supported by the heads-up play of power forward Cody Felibrico, Center Jobert Rosales, forward Christian Dizon and alternating guards Todd Angeles, David Fune and Jonathan Layug kept JSAG within striking distance.
With less than a minute left and Brampton leading by one point, Nino Calingo’s drive to the basket was met with a foul. Despite the deafening heckling of the opposing team’s fans, Nino coolly sank both shots and JSAG was now ahead by one point, 29-28. Brampton ’s ensuing play was foiled by the tough defense of our boys and the ball was now in our hands on a four corner offense to kill the time – victory seemed within our grasp!!! (or so, we thought…)
With 8 seconds left, Christian Dizon was fouled with a take-one trip to the foul line. The ball skidded away the rim to fall into the hands of a Brampton player. At this point, all I can remember is that time seemed like a warp and those last 8 seconds lasted an eternity.
Somehow, the ball ended up in the hands of a Brampton player near half-court. He dribbled past a JSAG defender and took a long-range quarter-court shot in front of another JSAG defender – and all that stuck in my mind was how that ball went inside the basket so effortlessly! Before I could catch my breath to believe what I had seen, the whole Brampton team was on the floor celebrating their victory.
As I looked the other way towards our side of the court, our boys were all in a state of shock and disbelief. I vividly remember seeing David and Christian crying… and I too started to cry. It was a very emotional moment. Had the boys won this one, they would have advanced to the semi-finals!
Kudos to our PeeWee team for great game, a great season – truly the “wonder” kids of JSAG for 2006! Most of the players on this team will be moving up next year to the Bantam Division and we expect to see more of them in the future. Keep up the good work, guys! Go JSAG!!!
Here are some pics taken from the first game:
Opening Day Parade: PeeWee Team 2006
Setting up for a full-court press: Nino, Todd, Jonathan, Jobert & Cody
Foul-shot attempt by Todd Angeles
Time-out with Coach Bong