Freego Cup cagefest unfolds tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo kicks off its bid for back-to-back crowns as it clashes with University of the East in the PCABL (Philippine Chinese Amateur Basketball League) seventh Freego Cup beginning tomorrow at the Phil. Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City.

Even without former MVP Thirdy Ravina, who is set to play for Ateneo’s college varsity team in the coming UAAP, the Eaglets remain the heavy favorites against the UE Junior Warriors at 2:30 p.m.

Aside from Ateneo and UE, the annual pre-season tournament for high school teams drew 12 other schools, including reigning UAAP champion National University and PSSBC titlist San Sebastian College-Recoletos.

The Bullpups, who beat the Eaglets in the UAAP championship last year, open their title drive against the Letran Squires at 9:30 a.m. while the Staglets collide with the La Salle-Zobel side at 11 a.m.

The other match will pit University of Santo Tomas against Lyceum in the tournament presented by Freego and sponsored by Smart Telecom, Fresh Gear (FG), Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Colt Commercial, K Tech Sports, Insular Square of Cebu and Cebu Pioneer Auto Supply.

NU, UST, Letran and Lyceum composed Group A along with Chiang Kai Shek College, Far Eastern University, Jose Rizal University, and Lyceum-Cavite while Ateneo heads Group B that includes SSC-R, La Salle-Zobel and UE.

Led by JV Gallego, the CKSC Dragons are gunning for their third straight title after winning the Milo National Passarelle and the NBTC crowns.

Format is a single-round elims with the top four teams in each group advancing to the crossover quarterfinals which is a knockout affair. The winner will march into the semis with the victors disputing the title in a one-game face-off.