Medellin responds to challenge, wins in first Northern Division semis game

GOVERNORS CUP 2018 SEMIFINALS/JUNE 26, 2018 Gelmart Umpad of Medellin Basketball. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

SOMETIMES it takes a stern warning to get a team going.

Medellin proved this when it defeated the Consolacion Sarok Weavers, 80-77, at the start of the North Division semifinals of the Governor’s Cup Inter-cities and Municipalities Basketball Tournament 2018 yesterday at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center.

Days leading to its first semis stint, Medellin town Councilor Al Lim said he threatened to withdraw the team’s participation in the tournament as he started to see the team relax after the elimination rounds.

“The players became too confident to the point that they won’t attend practices,” Lim said. “So I told them that if that attitude continues, we might as well withdraw instead of wasting time competing only to lose.”

After Lim called the team out in a meeting, the players responded positively, helping Medellin score its first win in this single round-robin semis.

Gelmart Umpad and Fritz Saladaga led the team with 23 and 22 points, respectively.

“This is the first time that the team Medellin got into the semifinal rounds. And it is a great honor that we defeated the strong team of Consolacion,” said Ryan Salimbangon, the head coach of Medellin.

Lim, however, said the battle is far from over and reminded his team of their ultimate goal.

“Since we traveled all the way here, we will make the most out of it and get ourselves a championship trophy.”