A total of 16 pairs, eight each in the men’s and women’s divisions, will see action in the finals of the sizzling summer event offering a cool P100, 000 to the winners and P50, 000 worth of sports equipment to the schools they represent.
San Jose Recoletos of Cebu will be around to defend its title in the men’s division but is expected to encounter some rough sailing from Foundation University of Dumaguete, last year’s losing finalist which is back with a vengeance this year.
Adamson, the women’s champion last year, did not make it this time after bowing out of the elimination round. In its absence, expected to slug it out for the crown are 2000 and 2001 champion San Sebastian and Foundation University, also the losing finalist last year.
The event being presented by Nestea since 1997 is sponsored by Smart, Speedo, Great Eastern Hotel, Le Soleil de Boracay, Mikasa, Philippine Airlines, Astring-O-Sol, WG&A Super Ferry, Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center and Friday’s.
The other finalists in the men’s division are Mindanao State University, Negros Occidental Recoletos, 1998 winner San Sebastian, University of the Philippines Diliman, Central Colleges of the Philippines and St. Benilde Foundation is also a former champion, winning in 2001.
In the women’s side, also earning finals slots were University of Cebu, Southwestern University, Letran, San Jose Recoletos, Holy Cross of Davao College and University of Baguio. San Sebastian is the only team in the women’s division with a championship experience.
Like in the past, the event is once again expected to be a big hit in Boracay–not only to the participants and the organizers but to foreign and local island visitors as well.