CESAFI stars to battle Petron

CEBU, Philippines - History beckons in the local hoopdom as the brightest hardcourt warriors of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. will go up against the PBA's Petron Blaze Boosters highlighting the annual CESAFI All-Star spectacle on September 9 at the Cebu Coliseum.

League commissioner Felix "Boy" O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. said the CESAFI Board has given its blessings to stage the blockbuster show during a special meeting the other night at Tin Gow restaurant of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

"The Board has approved the All-Star Game of CESAFI selection vs. Petron Blaze Boosters on September 9," said Tiukinhoy in a text message.

For sure, it's a one-of-a-kind treat for the local hoop fans as Petron will be spearheaded by Dondon Hontiveros and the 6-foot-9 skyscraper Junemar Fajardo, who etched his name in stone as the first Cebuano player to emerge as the No.1 overall pick in the PBA Draft last Sunday in Manila.

Interestingly, Hontiveros and Fajardo are both products of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters.

"We just have to bring some excitement to the Cebu basketball fans. We want a unique approach to our annual All-Star Game that is why we come up with this idea," said Tiukinhoy. "And with the presence of Fajardo and Hontiveros in the Petron lineup, there's no doubt in my mind that it's going to be a blockbuster event that the Cebuanos should not miss."

Aside from Hontiveros and Fajardo, the other Petron player who had a stint in the CESAFI is Chico Lañete. The prized talent from Zamboanga City once suited for the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers under coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug.

The rest of the Petron stars to watch out for include Arwind Santos, Danny Ildefonso, Dorian Peña, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo, Dennis Miranda, Paolo Hubalde, Axel Doruelo, RJ Rizada, and Jojo Duncil.

Tiukinhoy said he will meet with the different coaches next week to sort out the composition of the CESAFI selection.

"The team will be composed of only two foreign players and 15 locals. The final list will be known a week or two from now," said Tiukinhoy, adding that the traditional North vs. South showdown would still take place but only in the juniors division. – THE FREEMAN