CUSA caging unwraps today

University of Assumption-Pampanga opens defense of its crown against Technological University of the Philippines today at the start of the eight Colleges and Universities Sports Association (CUSA) basketball championships at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Pelicans, who beat Las Piñas College in the knockout final last year, and the Rangers take the floor at 1 p.m. in one of six matches ushering in the 13-team tournament.

Host Central Colleges of the Philippines and Trinity College kick off hostilities when they clash at 10 a.m. followed by the match pitting De La Salle-Araneta University Foundation at 11:30 p.m.

De Ocampo Memorial College battles Philippine Maritime Institute at 2:30 p.m., Manuel L Quezon University tangles with Metro Manila Colleges at 4 p.m. and Philippine College of Criminology tackles Las Piñas College in the nightcap at 5:30 p.m. PATTS School of Aeronautics takes a bye.

The top two teams after the eliminations round will advance to the semifinal round. The next four finishers will play knockout matches to fill the last two semis berths. The No. 3 team faces No. 6 while No. 4 meets No. 5, the winners of which completing the Final Four.

The semifinal round will be a knockout affair. However, a team, which sweeps the elimination round, will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage.

CUSA has tapped the services of Musong Castillo as league commissioner. Games will be played at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum during weekdays and San Juan gym during weekends.