12 March 2023 – Sitio Remedios, Victoria, Currimao, Ilocos Norte The representative of Ilocos Norte’s second district put his game face on for the fourth AMB Cup, a tournament held every year to encourage young llocanos to pursue professional sports careers.
A former tennis player who competed in national tournaments, Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba offers Ilocano beach volleyball players the opportunity to shine through the AMB Cup.
With 23 teams from the 23 towns and cities of Ilocos Norte participating in the games each year, its 2023 tournament was expected to be a success. Barba and his congressional staff did not disappoint.
Showing his support for the tournament, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc allowed the conduct of the AMB Beach Volleyball Tournament even amidst the pandemic, with the safety of competitors and staff during games as the utmost priority. He also instructed the Ilocos Norte Sports Office and the Resiliency Office to assist in the preparations and on-site.
The first leg of the tournament for teams from the province’s first district was held at Asaricha in Pasuquin, llocos Norte. The second leg for tearns from the second district enjoyed Currimao’s shoreline with Sitio Remedios as their headquarters. The championship game on 12 March was also held in Currimao.
The City of Batac’s men’s volleyball team bagged gold against Laoag City’s while Banna took home the championship trophy for the women’s division.
During a conversation with Mr. Barba, he said, “Put in the time, put in the effort – that already makes you a winner.”
Congressman Barba is an advocate for grassroots sports development where llocos Norte’s young sports talents, all of whom from different backgrounds, are given the chance to hone their skills.
Sharing the said goal with the Congressman, Govemor Matthew Marcos Manotoc also invited the Philippine National Beach Volleyball Team to conduct their trainings in Ilocos Norte, to strengthen their thrust in improving the Sports sector in the province, as well as to make Ilocos Norte the sports tourism capital of Northem Luzon.
According to the congressman, “The AMB Beach Volleyball Cup is more than just a game. It inspires our youth.”
“And maybe one day, one of them will go to the big leagues and become professional players,” he added.
Sports played a pivotal role in Barba’s life. In 1976, he, along with his contemporaries and a number of academic scholars, represented the Philippines in the Montreal Olympics’ youth camp. ### BAM/AMB/BBV
