DAY 5 – THREE GAMES IN ONE DAY!

RESULTS:

Ciluban City 60
Sports Ambassadors 69

Norsu University 64
Sports Ambassadors 70

Silliman University 56
Sports Ambassadors 64

Three games presented themselves today in very different forms. The first was held outside of Dumaguete in the neighbouring city of Ciluban, where the mayor inviting us to her office for photos and then led us down to the court next to her office for the game against her City Selection team. The game was held in high spirits as many locals came out to support their home team.

Their lack of height was apparent from the outset, but their was some talent there to keep the game competitive. Conan Prince gave a typical workmanlike performance, blocking six shots in the first half before giving his testimony at half-time to the crowd.

The short trip out to Norsu University in the afternoon presented us with a very large and jovial crowd of college students eager to see the foreigners in action. The game was played at a very uptempo pace throughout with Norsu employing traps and presses to combat their lack of height. It remained close until big men Danny Cook and Fletcher Creelman began to dominate inside and the Sports Ambassadors pushed out to an unassailable lead. The game was memorable for the many students who received gospel information and the fellowship meal after the match.

Perhaps a ten minute bus ride away was Silliman University, an indoor gymnasium with a team of 20 players. They were warming up as we filed in and their energy levels were very high. Fighting off fatigue, the Sports Ambassadors steadied themselves after going down early and at half-time had drawn level with the home team. Danny Cook spoke to the gathered audience about his life and his relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Gary Visitacion also spoke about how he had given his life to Christ in this very building some 25 years earlier after playing against a visiting Sports Ambassadors team.

A concerted effort in the second half by point-forward Andrew Stock and strong interior play from Danny Cook and Fletcher Creelman enabled the Aussies to get up and stay up and Rufo Pong’s long range three-pointers sealed the deal.

The team spent some time after the game handing out gospel tracts and meeting local students and church goers who had attended the match. It was a very enjoyable experience to see everybody fellowshipping together.

On the bus and back home to an early night in our five foot beds!