Humphery “Gabe” Gabriel and his Vanung University are looking to go the extra mile this weekend as the University Basketball Association (UBA) Finals take place at the Magnificent Chinese Taipei’s Basketball Arena.
Vanung University who finished the regular season in 4th place will take on number 1 Chengchi University before 2nd place Chen Hsin University will face off with 3rd placed Shi Hsin University. The Final 4 emerged after a long season of three rounds and for Nigerian Born Humphery Gabriel, it’s still like a dream to get to this stage. “It is really amazing, we didn’t expect to get this far, our goal was just to avoid relegation, but once we were able to make it to the final 8, we decided to go for it, and here we are now in the final 4, anything could happen, its basketball,” the Forward told the media during the Unveiling Ceremony of the Final 4 teams
Coach Bamsim knows his side are the underdogs against high flying Chengchi University, but hopes his boys will give it a go on Saturday “We are the underdogs given Chengchi’s pedigree, but I am confident my team will give it a fight and we see how we do in the end” He said.
Gabe who only a few years ago was playing High School Basketball in the USA is excited with the chance to play at the top level in College Basketball in Taiwan after enduring 3 Seasons with Vanung University. “I am really excited, only a few years ago I was playing High School Basketball in the USA, but when Vanung gave me the opportunity to come to Taiwan to study, I grabbed it with both hands knowing I could be playing at the top level of College Basketball and for two seasons we played in the Div 2 and in only our first year back we are now in the final 4, it is still like a dream for me,” he said.
Ryan Shih, the Manager who scouted and took Gabe to Taiwan from Cambodia is proud of his ward and feels more relieved going into the final 4 with the least expectations. “I am going to watch the games relaxed, during the early rounds, i was always very nervous and even couldn’t watch some of the games but Gabe and his teammates have really made us proud and I am more relaxed now, We didn’t expect to go this far, to get to the Final 4 is great and we hope for the best” he stated
Asked if there are offers for Gabe since this is his final season in College basketball, Ryan said the focus now is for the final 4 “Of course there is interest already for him however, our focus now is for the Final 4, once the season is over we shall see what next for Gabe, but for now, we looking forward to the weekend games” He responded.
Gabe’s father who doubles as his Coach and Trainer is delighted to see Gabe get to this level and will be watching the game live with his Mother and two siblings from their Cambodian home “It’s a shame I can’t go because of the covid restrictions on travels, but the whole family will be watching and cheering him from our home, we are so delighted to see him get to the final 4 and will be praying for him and his team to go all the way” Dr Ken Gadaffi said.
