6 teams to join AUBF caging in Cebu

A total of six teams have been invited by the Asia University Basketball Federation (AUBF) to compete in the 6th  Asian University Basketball Championship set from July 5 to 12 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Organized by the Asian University Basketball Federation (AUBF), the annual tournament has been recognized by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF) since 1998 under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation (IUSF).

Through its president Tisha Abundo and executive vice president Robert Calo, the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), an AUBF affiliate member, has been tasked to supervise the international event, which was formalized last February 29 following a contract signing between Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Prospero Pichay Jr. and AUBF president Shin Dong Pa of South Korea.

The event was witnessed by AUBF director Park Hyun Mo and BAP external lawyer Atty. Romeo L. Magtanong.

The participating teams in the week-long competition are Huaqiao University of China and Hanyang University of South Korea, Southwestern University (SWU) and University of Visayas (UV) from host Cebu, and the University of Luzon (UL) of Pangasinan and Angeles University Foundation (AUF) of Pampanga.

Felix Tiukinhoy, the commissioner of the Cebu Sports Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI), has been designated as tournament commissioner following the recommendation of BAP regional director Lorenzo “Chao” Sy to Pichay.

The legendary Shin Dong Pa, a deadly shooter who starred for the South Korean national team during the 60s and 70s, will be welcomed in Cebu by Pichay on July 4.

Rep. Luis R. Villafuerte, the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) chairman, will be the guest speaker during the opening ceremony.

South Korea’s Sangmu University defeated local bet Rizal Technological University in last year’s  AUBC finals held in Daet, Camarines Norte. – GGM