M. Lhuillier summer hoop opens today

Exciting collegiate hardcourt battle will further fan the summer sports heat as the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Summer Basketball Challenge kicks off this afternoon with a surefire double-header at the Cebu Coliseum.

In the first game at 4:30 pm, the Don Bosco College Greywolves of coach Rudy Enterina will go up against the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Skyblazers of coach Jojo Romarate.

Right after the Don Bosco-Salazar showdown, the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors of coach Mike Reyes will take on the floor against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars of coach Edito Salacut in the main dish at 6 pm.

A total of seven teams will slug it out for the championship of the two-month tilt organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) through its Visayas Area Head Michel J. Lhuillier and Central Visayas Director Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba.

Leading the pack of competing squads are the seven-time CESAFI champion and 2nd VAAA titlist University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers of coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug and the reigning National Inter-Collegiate champion Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras of coach Dodie Miego.

The Asian College of Technology (ACT) Cyber Knights of coach Tata Merced complete the list of entries in the tournament that is being held as a runup to the 8th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).

League commissioner Jose “Boy” Murillo said the competition follows a single round robin format, with the top four teams advancing into the crossover semifinals. The top two seeds will enjoy a twice-to-beat edge over the lower ranked squads. The winners will then clash for a championship in a best-of-three affair.