AUBC battle of champions: UV, SWU start title hunt today

Hometown bets University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras stake their pride as the 6th Asian University Basketball Championship (AUBC) Battle of Champions kicks off today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

1 pm Opening program

2 pm SWU vs. UL

3:30 pm China vs. AUF

5 pm UV vs. Korea

Before the hardcourt hostilities, a simple opening ceremony will take place at 1 pm to be graced by local and foreign dignitaries.

The UV Green Lancers of coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug will take on the South Koreans from Hang Yang University led by Asian University Basketball Federation (AUBF) president Shin Dong Pa in the main game at 5 pm.

The Koreans have no idea yet on how they would fare against UV, a seven-time CESAFI champion, but for sure they will employ a lot of passing and running to wear down the Lances.

In  the past five editions of AUBC, Shin Dong Pa’s team has won two titles through Myong Ji and  Sangmu. This time, it’s a different Korean team that is armed not only with height but also talent and speed.

The Chinese cagers from Huaquiao University, on the other hand, are tipped as the early title favorites. They will clash with  the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) of Pampanga in the second game at 3:30 pm.

The opening encounter at 2 pm pits the SWU Cobras against the University of Luzon (UL) Golden Tigers.

A trip to Hong Kong awaits any local team which will rule the week-long tilt.

One of the main highlights of AUBC is the basketball clinic to be conducted by the legendary Shin Dong on July 11 or a day before the championship game.

The chief architect of bringing the AUBC to Cebu is Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) regional director Lorenzo “Chao”Sy. In charge of running the competition is CESAFI commissioner Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Jr.

The BAP-SBP officials are coming to Cebu in full force along with guests from FIBA, AUBF and FESSAP to witness the event’s blast off.

They are BAP-SBP chairman Rep. Luis Villafuerte, BAP-SBP president Prospero Pichay, Jr., FIBA’s Dr. Carl Menky Ching, AUBF vice president Dr. Ekodjamitko Sukarso, BAP secretary-general Graham Lim, BAP-SBP executive director Christina Tan, BAP-SBP vice chairman Wilson Young, BAP-SBP board member Mayor Rey Baula, BAP-SBP treasurer Tony Fabico, FESSAP president Teresita Abundo, and FESSAP vice president Dr. Robert Milton Calo.

They will be joined by Governor Gwen Garcia and Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama.

Lim said he helped Sy in facilitating the AUBC here in Cebu for the first time as his way of appreciation to the basketball-loving Cebuanos.

Among the major sponsors of the tournament are Burlington, Pepsi Cola, Nature’s spring, Hotel Fortuna, Casino Rubbing Alcohol, Omega Pain Killer and the United Korean Community Association, Inc. The other backers are Gaisano Main, Gaisano Country Mall, Waterfront-Cebu City  Hotel, Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, La Fortuna Bakery, UV, SWU, UC, Cebu City Sports Center and CESAFI.