Cebu’s top collegiate teams to go up against San Beda

CEBU, Philippines - Reigning NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions will square off against three of Cebu's top amateur ballclubs when the Cebu City Mayor's Cup Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament takes place on March 21-23 at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Red Lions, under the tutelage of former PBA star Boyet Fernandez, will take on CESAFI crown-holder University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the three-day joust spearheaded by the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) under the leadership of Edward Hayco.

"We are holding this event to raise funds for CCSC's month-long grassroots development program this summer," said sports commissioner Michael Sy in a press conference yesterday at Hotel Fortuna. "We are also making this an avenue for the schools to showcase the talents of their recruits for the upcoming CESAFI season as well as gauge the skills of their new players."

Also present during the event's formal launching were Cebuano businessman-sportsman Lorenzo "Chao" Sy, Bogo City Mayor Celestino "Junnie" E. Martinez, who is also the team manager of  the USC Warriors, USJ-R coach Jun Noel and his assistant Edito Salacut.

"It's an opportunity for us to play against a champion team from Manila and a big tune-up for us. Rest assured we will be fighting and give the audience a game they will enjoy," said Noel.

Each team shall be composed of 15 regular players and three reserves. Two foreign players are allowed but only one  will play at a time.

The contending squads will play in a single round robin format. The team with the best record will automatically be declared as champion.

The top finisher will take home P50,000, while the second and third placers will pocket P30,000 and P20,000, respectively. The fourth will receive a consolation prize of P10,000.

Tickets are reasonably priced at P20 for the general admission, P50 for the upper box, P100 for the lower box, P150 for the ringside and P200 for the stage seats. Students will get a 50 percent discount.  (FREEMAN)