Coca-Cola Tigers vs. Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters in Gensan Live!

A live PBA game in Gensan! This is certainly an early Christmas gift not only for the Generals but for the residents of the entire SOCCSKSARGEN region as well. Thanks to the General Santos Local Government and Paper View Office and School Supplies, the Coca-Cola Tigers and Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters will slug it out at the General Santos Gym in Lagao, General Santos City this Saturday, December 5, 2009 beginning at 5:00 p.m. This event is part of the official roster of big events of PASKO sa Gensan 2009.

This excites me. I have watched live PBA games back in the 1990's when I was still Metro Manila-based and there's nothing like watching in the flesh one's favorite hoop players on the hardcourt. I have since resettled back to my hometown and have completely missed all other provincial sorties of the PBA in Gensan (and in nearby cities). But I am going to make this time an exception.

What's in store for us in a Tigers vs. Tropang Texters game? Complete thrill and excitement!

One, Coca-Cola's back is against the wall. With only one won game in 10 outings so far, there's no other option for the Tigers but to shed more blood for this game.

Two, Coca-Cola may be kulelat, but the local crowd will be on its side, not only because of the Filipinos' noted penchant for the underdog, but owing mainly to the presence of local kababayans among the Tigers. Bariles of  GenSan News Online Mag informs us that besides coach Kenneth Duremdes whom everybody knows to be a native of Koronadal, there's also rookie small forward/offguard Francis Allera who is a General himself; and of course, assistant coach Dolreich "Bo" Perasol who hails from Lagao, Gensan. Now, here's a sidebar to this: Coach Kenneth has just been promoted as Coca-Cola's alternate board governor so Bo is taking over as head coach for the Tigers this Saturday and onwards.

Three, Talk 'n Text is the defending Philippine Cup champion. With prolific playmaker and shooter, Finals MVP, and current scoring leader Mark Cardona leading the team, expect a run-and-gun game from the Tropang Texters who are out to improve its current 6-4 win loss record.

Ha! I am not only going to watch Coca-Cola Tigers vs. Talk n' Text Tropang Texters in Gensan, I am going to be at courtside with my 10-year old kid Anakin, who is an NBA fanatic and who is doubly thrilled by the prospect of watching his first live professional basketball game. It's the next best thing to being at the Staples Center in LA, he says.