The M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) is organizing a developmental basketball tournament not only to harness the skills of aspiring Cebuano hoopsters but also for charity.
MLSDF executive director Eddie B. Ybañez announced that proceeds of the 6th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Charity Basketball For-A-Cause that will begin on August 17 at the Concolacion Sports Complex will be donated to charitable institutions.
“MLSDF is committed not only to develop the abilities of our young athletes, but also to give and reach out the less fortunate individuals. Whatever amount we can generate from this fund-raising activity, we will give it to the needy ones,” said Ybañez.
Even the cash prizes at stake will also be donated to a charity of the winners’ choice. Aside from trophies. the champion will receive P5,000, while the second and third placers will get P3,000 and P2,000 respectively.
A total of 14 teams divided into two groups of seven have already confirmed their participation in the four-month tilt.
Pooled under Bracket A are the MLSDF Selection, Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Baby Skyblazers, University of San Carlos (USC) Team A, Athletes for Christ through Excellent Service (ACES), University of the Visayas (UV)-Mandaue, Southwestern University (SWU), and Black Shama of Consolacion.
Bracket B, on the other hand, is composed of Fifth Avenue Telecom/Hoop It Up, Consolacion-Remember, USC Team B, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), Mabolo Christian Academy, Ave Maria Sanctuary Park, and Mandaue Stallions of Mayor Jonas Cortes.
Commissioner Aurelio Eslawan said the competition follows a single round robin format. Only one team in each bracket will be eliminated at the end of the classification round. The top two teams will gain outright semifinal entry, while the other four teams will clash in the crossover quarterfinals, with the higher ranked squads enjoying twice-to-beat incentives.
The survivors in each bracket will then slug it out for the championship.—EBV