USC, USJ-R face separate foes in ML Kwarta Padala cage opener

The University of San Carlos (USC) and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) take on separate foes spicing up the opening quadruple-header of the 5th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cup Under-21 basketball tournament on September 24 at the Cebu Coliseum.

The USC Baby Warrios face off with Consolacion National High School (CNHS) Black Shama in the opener, while the USJ-R Baby Jaguars collide with Hoop It Up in the second game.

The other matches pit the Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Baby Skyblazers against the Consolacion LGU Sarok and the MLSDF-Mantawi Dream Team versus the Athletes for Christ in Excellent Service (ACES) hoopsters.

The schedule of games was determined through the drawing of lots in a meeting called on by league organizer and MLSDF executive director Eddie Ybañez the other night at White Gold House Restaurant.

Strictly following the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, the two-month cagefest follows a single round robin format in the elimination round.

The top four teams will advance into the crossover semifinals, with the top two seeds enjoying twice-to-beat incentives over the lower-ranked squads. The winners will then clash for the championship in a winner-take-all affair.

Meanwhile, tournament commissioner Eddie Montalban has given all the participating teams only until September 15 to submit the credentials of their respective athletes.

Also discussed during the meeting were the official ground rules of the tournament and the probable sanctions that will be imposed on erring parties.

Aside from the Cebu Coliseum, games will also be staged at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex and at the Consolacion Sports Complex depending on the availability of the said playing venues.