10 matches kick off SBP U-16 caging

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – Twelve schools in the boys division and five in the girls side see action tomorrow as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Under-16 National Championships get going with 10 matches at the University of Baguio gym.

The tournament features the high school champions from all the regions, the centerpiece development program of SBP president and telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, presented by Summit Mineral Water and backed as major sponsors by Philex Mining, Smart Communications, Energen Milk and Cereal Drink and the MVP Sports Foundation.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said recently that the national 3-on-3 tournament followed by the National Under-18 Championship, known before as the Inter-Collegiate tourney, will be held simultaneously with the Philippine National Games in Iloilo City this summer.

In the boys category, Holy Child takes on La Union College of Nursing & Arts Sciences (Reg. I) at 9 a.m.; Claret School of Zamboanga (MBR-C) faces International School for Better Beginnings (Quezon) at 1 p.m.; St. Agnes Academy (Albay/Bicol) meets St. Clare College (NCR) at 1 p.m. at the EC gym; Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori (CDO/MBR) tangles with St. Bridget College (Batangas/LLBR) at 2:30 p.m. at the EC gym; University of Baguio (CAR) tests University of Santo Tomas (NCR) at 4 p.m.; and St. John Institute (Bacolod) collides with University of Visayas (Cebu) at 5:30 p.m.

Girls matches pit Assumption College of Davao (Mindanao) with JDV Sr. Memorial National High School (Dagupan) at 10:30 a.m. at the UB gym; and St. Clare College (Caloocan) with St. Louis University Laboratory High School (Baguio) at 2:30 p.m. at UB gym.

The 12 teams in the men’s side will be divided into two groups, with the top two in each division advancing to the crossover semis. The top two squads to emerge in the semis dispute the title in a winner-take-all match on Jan. 28.