Heroes' Welcome: Blades home after title triumph
League IV.43 Finals
Great 8 #1 Bacoor Blades def. Big 8 #1 Citta Italia Rangers (2-0)
After dominating the field all-season long, the Bacoor Blades culminated their road to redemption with a sweep of Citta Italia Rangers last Saturday, capping off an undefeated run to the title that spanned all the 26 League elimination round and playoff assignments.
But the title-clinching Game 2 was at the Ranger's Citta Italia Arena, so the opportunity for the Bacoor community to celebrate the championship with the team was bleak. Upon their arrival back to Bacoor, the Blades were warmly welcomed by cheers and jubilation from a crowd of an estimated 7,000 just at the front of their training facilities in Bacoor.
The Blades took time to address the fans and show their appreciation for the support that they gave them all season. It became a mini-fan appreciation moment that became media-mobbed in just minutes.
"This is an overwhelming response from our fans. We would like to thank them not only for this moment, but for the support that they gave all season." said Blades forward Pedro Horcasitas.
"They attended games, they bought the merchandise, they bought the mentality that we were going for redemption the same way that the team did. It was amazing!" said shooting guard Iliya Dimov.
During Game 2, four large LCD screens were installed at the middle of The Bacoor Forum to provide the live feed of the game, where the Blades trounced the Rangers, 136-82. Every basket, from the opening three-point basket by Dimov until Regan Elizaga's freethrows that punched the final score, were met with a lot of cheers and as the final buzzer sounded, the crowd cannot be contained as the Forum accommodated a standing-room audience of approximately 17,000. The team celebration on site might have been limited, but at The Forum, fans were cheering as that age-old Queen song, "We Are The Champions" reverberated throughout the Blades's home court.
These events were relayed to the Blades management, led by TheDogMan and he expressed his utmost appreciation of the loyal fanbase.
"We were just informed about what transpired here back in Game 2. I can only imagine the excitement and the anticipation each one of you had as we were playing for the title. I don't know if I can thank you enough for that. The effort it took for all of you to witness this team make it back to Division III must have been taxing." said the Blades boss as he addressed the crowd. "Again, I cannot thank you all enough."
Even the sighting of Legendary Blades forward Insa Saady brought cheers from the crowd Saturday night. It was an overflow of emotions as the French phenom approached the current roster to congratulate them burying the stigma of the past three seasons.
"Maraming salamat sa suporta niyo. Marami na tayong pinagdaanan. Ngayon, pinagpala na tayo ng kampeonato. Para sa ating lahat itong kampeonatong ito!" said co-captain Mark Hugos.
"I hope that this could be the start of something new for the team. Again thank you so much and see you all in Division III!" said team co-captain Kelly Paul.
The Blades will spend the offseason with playing scrimmages and possibly bolstering their team in the upcoming draft before they begin their second foray back to Division III.