UV Lancers kick off title bid with back-to-back games today

CEBU, Philippines — The two-time Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers face a daunting task right at the start of their campaign in the Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational Basketball Tournament 2024 today (Thursday, June 27) at the Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

This as the Bustamante Construction-backed Lancers of coach Gary Cortes will have two games just hours apart from each other on the first day of action in the three-day cage wars that dangles close to P1 million in cash prize.

The Lancers will first tackle the Vincare Pharma-Perpetual Altas in the 8 a.m. opener before going up against the Arianos Construction- Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals at 2 p.m.

Like the Lancers, the ARQ Builders-Adamson University Soaring Falcons are also up for a double duty. They will lock horns with

Wengburs Apartelle and Ella Store-San Beda Red Lions at 10 a.m. and then square off against the Altas at 6 p.m.

In the main game at 8 p.m., the Red Lions will clash with the Generals.

Coach Van Halen Parmis, who is now on his 13th year organizing the biggest and grandest hardcourt tilt in Caraga region that offers free airfare, accommodation, and meals for all participants, said no one from the five title contenders will go home empty-handed.

The champion will pocket P300,000, while the second to fifth placers will receive P200,000, P150,000, P100,000, and P75,000, respectively.

All games will be streamed live on the Facebook pages of Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational Basketball Tournament, Down Under Promotions, and Ka-Dayo.