Mayor Tom Osmeña Cup unfolds today

The Cebuano hoop fans brace themselves for another swashbuckling hardcourt action as the 1st Mayor Tommy Osmeña National Invitational Basketball Tournament kicks off today with an explosive triple-header on tap at the Cebu Coliseum.

Before the hostilities, a simple opening rites will take place starting off with the traditional parade of competing teams at 2 p.

Event sponsor Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña, Basketball Association of the Philippines president Joey Lina, and BAP vice president for the Visayas Michel Lhuillier make up the list of luminaries expected to grace the affair.

In the opener of this six-day cagefest, LIMA Construction battles Pagadian Aquaworld at 3 pm, while top title contender M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Jewelers take on Laguna-Spring Cooking Oil in the second game at 5 p.m.

The Quezon Coco Huskers take centerstage in the main attraction against the Davao City-based Montaña Pawnshop.

The M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, under the tutelage of Cebu City Councilor Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba, is eyeing for its third consecutive title this year after dominating invitational tournaments earlier this year in Sogod, Southern Leyte and in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

The tournament follows a single round robin format in the elimination round, with the top two teams in each bracket advancing into the crossover semifinals.

The winners will then clash in a sudden-death championship match on October 6.