CECABA ties up with Sunsport as 8th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu caging kicks off today

The Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's first tie-up with Sunsport will formally be made official today as the CECABA, the region's longest running alumni-based cage league, takes off its 8th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup season in grand fashion at the Cebu Coliseum.

Incoming 2006 CECABA president Chester C. Cokaliong, incidentally the league forerunner and founding prexy, said among the highlights of today's affair is the unveiling of the league's custom-made official ball this season produced by Sunsport.

Cokaliong, who will deliver the welcome remarks, said Sunsport has also donated a dozen basketballs to be given to those who will make it to the 1,000 and 2,000-point clubs.

The event promptly starts with the traditional parade of participating teams at 1 pm.

It will be followed by an elaborate opening rites to be graced by Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael L. Rama and CEC Board of Trustees president and chairman Atty. Augusto W. Go.

Go and Rama will give inspirational messages to the Easternians, while Erwin Ong of Class '95 will lead the oath of sportmanship. Rama will also spearhead the ceremonial toss, marking the start of the four-month cagefest.

Other dignitaries set to attend are CEC Board of Trustees bigwigs Filomeno Lim, Frederick K.D. Ong Jr., Manuel Sy and Antonio Chua Han Sing.

Joining them are Charlie Ng and Cesar Cinco of the Chen Lieh Fu Educational Foundation, CEC administrator Kho Siok We, Tan Bing Guat, Sotero Cabanes, Johnny Sy, and Gino Yongco.

Adding fanfare to the kick-off program is the selection of best muse and best in uniform as well as the CEC Dance Troupe, which will present another colorful production number.

A total of 20 teams scattered in two divisions are seeing action this season ranging from Batch '67 to 2005.

In the season-opening skirmish set at 3 pm, Armour Wood '81/85 battles Chester Enterprises '67/83, while Rocket Battery '95 takes on Cokaliong Shipping Lines '98 takes in the second game at 4:30 pm.

Dewfoam '88 clashes with Asian Home Appliance Center '89/93 in the main game at 6 pm.