Mindanaotoday.com | Thank you Bayugan for the great basketball fun
By: Jack Biantan
BAYUGAN, Agusan del Sur — Known as the ‘cut-flower capital’ of the province of Agusan del Sur, Bayugan is the only city in the province.
It is also the most populated municipality in Agusan del Sur with a total population of 109,499 according to the 2020 census.
Bayugan is now a 5th class component city since 2011. It is bordered by the municipality of Sibagat to the north and the capital town of Agusan del Sur, Prosperidad to the East, and the Municipality of Esperanza to the South and the municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte to the West according to Wikipedia.
Bayugan was once an upon a time only a sitio of barangay Maygatasan of the town of Esperanza.
It’s growth was unprecedented as it became a barangay and then a municipality in less than half a century.
For many years now, Bayugan has been hosting several local, and Vis-Min basketball teams during their fiesta week celebration which culminates in their town fiesta every June 30, in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
It was only recently when coach Van Halen Parmis took over the organization of the tournament that high value collegiate teams from the Capital City that has been gracing the tournament.
In 2014, coach Van Halen Parmis even assembled Team Joannie to defeat University of the Visayas Green Lancers 81-74, in the battle for third.
That year PBA D-League team Boracay Rum of coach Lawrence Chongson defeated SG Merchandise 77-70, to win the title and the P250,00 prize money.
The last time the tournament was held in 2019 before the pandemic, and Far Eastern University came out winner over Southwestern University Phinma.
This time two top UAAP teams, FEU and Adamson, an NCAA team Lyceum of the Philippines University and NCRAA Champion Immaculate Conception College of Caloocan are competing the tournament.
ICC is reinforced by top commercial players from Visayas and Mindanao. They will add more players in their two matches scheduled today.
This years total cash prize has increased to P700,000 and competition has toughened. Van Halen Parmis and Bayugan Mayor Kirk Asis has made it sure that the competition among teams are tight and the guests are accommodated well.
Mayor Asis has even covered all the matches live on social media particularly in the Facebook pages of the Bayugan City.
I wish we have LGU officials all over the country like Mayor Asis who could bring sports development to a higher level.
By the way Mayor Asis is supporting not only basketball. During these fiesta activities, Bayugan City has various competition in different sports.
The City organized a badminton competition last June 9-11, lawn tennis tournament in June 23-25, and dance sports competition in June 24-25.
Bayugan also has lined-up other events like Motocross, Billiards, and Downhill Skateboarding for these festivities.
They also had a Futsal tournament last Jun 24-25 at their multi-purpose hall.
According to Mayor Asis these events are in preparation for their CARAGA Regional meet this year. Bayugan is a separate division competing in the CARAGA Regional meet.
No wonder why this City is progressive. The people of Bayugan are lucky to have Kirk Asis as Mayor. GOD BLESS (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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