Laguna Gov. Cup underway at Sta. Cruz

Twenty-three teams will slug it out for the crown when the Samsung-second Governors Cup Laguna Inter-Town Basketball Tournament starts today at the new San Luis RECS in Barangay Bubucal, Santa Cruz, Laguna.

The participating teams are Pila, Kalayaan, Alaminos, Los Baños, Siniloan, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan, Pakil, Pangil, Paete, Biñan, Bay, Cavinti, Sta. Rosa, San Pedro, Lumban, Sta. Maria, Mabitac, Magdalena, Calauan and Calamba.

Invited as guests in the opening ceremonies starting at 2 p.m. are Laguna Gov. Teresita Lazaro, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation president/chief executive officer Sang Youl Eom and Provincial Sports and Games Development Office head Dennis Lazaro.

According to tournament director Roberto Depatillo, tournament format calls for the single round robin. The top eight teams will enter the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, they will play a round robin again to determine the top four to advnce to the crossover semifinals. The top two squads clash in a best-of-three for the title while the losers play a knockout game for third place.