Madridejos gives grassroots cagers golden chance to showcase talents | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — Recognizing the importance of grassroots development in discovering talents, the municipality of Madridejos in Bantayan Island gave their young aspiring ballers a golden opportunity to showcase their hardcourt skills in a pair of exhibition matches at the town’s sports and cultural center just recently.

Featuring players as young as three to six years old from Madridejos and Santa Fe in the Under 17 and Under 11 age groups, the games were a sidelight of the 2nd Mayor Romeo Villaceran Basketball Cup 2023, which is among the main attractions of the forthcoming fiesta celebration of the Lawisanons in honor of their beloved patroness, the Immaculate Conception, on December 8.

“These activities not only keep our kids away from gadgets and bad vices but also enable them to know more about the fundamentals of playing hoops and along the way enhance their ability. They are willing and very determined to learn that is why we are helping them,” said Madridejos councilor Owen Daruca, whose three-year-old son Damian is among the participants of the purposeful event.

Drawing full support from mayor Romeo Villaceran and vice mayor Vincent “VYV” Villacrusis, Daruca is making use of their worthwhile undertaking as a launchpad to their intensive youth basketball program set to kick off next month.

“A first in the island, this training camp is actually going on already,” Daruca continued. “It will formally start in our town on December 16 until December 31 but it will continue from January to March next year during weekends only.”

The man in charge of overseeing the laudable project is Michael Castro Etrata, an All-Star guard and a four-time champion with the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers during his glorious days in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) two decades ago.

“First, I would like to extend my profound gratitude to SB Member Owen Daruca for the overwhelming support we’ve received for our basketball clinic and for the opportunity to showcase the acquired skills of the participating kids. Special thanks also to Mayor Romeo Villaceran, Vice Mayor VYV, and the LGU of Madridejos for allowing us to be part of their events in