Hooplah

Before I start today’s column, I would like to ask our readers to say a prayer for the souls of the soldiers, who died in the battle in Basilan between the government troops and the MILF.

Let us also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, the safety of the other soldiers in the area, and for peace to prevail.

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The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament is now in its wind up stages.

The University of the Visayas Baby Lancers became the first team to make it to the finals in the secondary division and then later Tuesday night, defending champion University of Cebu earned the first championship ticket for the collegiate division.

The battles set tonight at the Cebu Coliseum are must-sees and I am trying to figure out how I can squeeze the games in my tight daily late afternoon to evening schedule.

The high school match up between last year’s finalists Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Cebu Eastern College is set at 5:15 p.m.

SHS holds a twice-to-beat advantage, but CEC, which made a major turn around last season from being at the bottom of the heap to champion, is expected to give it all to stay alive.

If you want to watch today’s game, go to the Cebu Coliseum in comfortable clothes as we expect a full house.

The collegiate match up between Southwestern University (SWU) and the University of the Visayas (UV) is also expected to be a slambang affair.

This will immediately follow the high school game.

SWU has the twice-to-beat advantage after coach Raul ‘Yayoy’ Alcoseba worked his wonders for the Cobras, which had a sluggish start this season.

The Cobras have the momentum, while the Lancers, which won the first nine titles of the CESAFI, are looking to regain lost glory with their rookie coach Felix Belano.

Anybody who knows his Cebu basketball would definitely find time to watch today’s games.

By the way, this is just one step to the finals, so there are still a few more games to watch.

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We’re still not close to Manila when it comes to the school spirit during the games but I believe that we can get there with a little more imagination from the organizers of the CESAFI.

Once the school spirit heats up, there will be more marketing opportunities for the league that can help foot the bill for future events.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings to Cebu Volleyball Association Chairman Glenn Anthony Soco, who is turning another year older today. The same goes to Arthur Echavez, Yen Tiu-Carcallas, and my Tao sister Rethel Horwitz-Bowen.

Advance greetings go to Maria Celeste Reyes-Pizarra, Ardele Merton-Gollon, Lysle Elegino-Kintanar, Moises ‘Loloy’ Soriaga, and Mislaini Umabong, who are celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!