Crowd went wild after Arriba Iriga dominated the first-ever Agila Cup, prevailing both the 40 Up and Open Division of the Finals Game 2 of Gov. Luigi’s 1st Agila Cup Inter-Town Basketball Tournament.
“We had such an amazing and wonderful experience here at the 1st Agila Cup. Grabe, it feels really good and my heart is filled with so much happiness,” exclaimed Coach Rey Iraola of Arriba Iriga minutes after their incredible conquest.
On January 19, 2023, crowds flocked to the newly-established Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex to witness the Finals Game 2 of Agila Cup between Team Magarao VS Iriga City for 40 Up and Team Camaligan VS Iriga City for Open Division. With more than 2,000 live audience and over 26,000 online viewers, the tension and excitement during the finals was indeed palpable.
“I told my players that whatever happens tonight, let us not give this Game 2 to them [opponent],” recollected Coach Rey. “It was our team’s dream to become the champion of this tournament. I told them to win this night and I was so proud that we did,” he concluded, expressing his pride and joy after their historic win as the first-ever champion for both the divisions of the 1st Agila Cup.
After two years of restrictions in mobility due to the global pandemic, Gov. Luigi’s Agila Cup was conceptualized and launched to bring together and connect Camarinenses despite political differences. It aimed to promote solidarity and oneness to all the municipalities of Camarines Sur.
The Agila Cup was divided into two divisions, viz., 40 Up and Open Division. Of the 35 municipalities in the province, 34 joined the Agila Cup with the exception of Presentacion due to difficulties in transportation, while Caramoan, Garchitorena, and Gainza only joined the Open Division.
“I am really thankful for my experience here in the Agila Cup. I was able to play alongside and against excellent basketball players in the province. I also learned a lot, especially playing against the veteran player Sta. Maria. I have so much to adapt in my experience here in the tournament,” shared Owe Medenilla of Team Iriga City.
Medenilla was hailed as the Finals MVP of the Agila Cup for the Open Division. He also spoke appreciatively of Babap Sta. Maria, a key player of Team Camaligan who they fought against during the finals, which only proves the sportsmanship and camaraderie the tournament has cultivated.
On the same note, Babap Sta. Maria of Team Camaligan expressed his delight in joining the Agila Cup and having played with and against amazing basketball players. “I am so happy for this experience and opportunity. The support of the crowd is very surprising and unmatched,” shared Sta. Maria who was hailed as the Season MVP.
After four months of elimination games and semi-finals leading to the championship games, the result of the 1st Agila Cup is as follows:
40 Up Division
Champion – Iriga City
1st Runner Up – Magarao
2nd Runner Up – Pili
3rd Runner Up – Nabua
Open Division
Champion – Iriga City
1st Runner Up – Camaligan
2nd Runner Up – Pili
3rd Runner Up – Lagonoy
For the 40 Up Division, the champion received a cash prize worth P50,000, the 1st runner up received P25,000, while the 2nd and 3rd runner up received P15,000 and P10,000 respectively. Whereas in the Open Division, the champion received a cash prize worth P150,000, the 1st runner up received P75,000, while the 2nd and 3rd runner up received P20,000 and P10,000 respectively. All winning teams received medal and the Agila Cup trophy.
Apart from promoting and cultivating solidarity and oneness among Camarinenses, the Agila Cup has also become an avenue to scout for potential basketball players to join the Team Capitol and the CamSur Express Team.
Governor Luigi Villafuerte, who has been hands-on with his support since the very beginning of the Agila Cup, was present during the semi-finals and finals game.
With the staggering success of Gov. Luigi’s 1st Agila Cup, fans, supporters, players, coaches and basketball-enthusiasts are already excited and looking forward to the next season of the tournament.
