MANILA, Philippines - Eight teams, led by Ateneo and multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College, will vie for top honors when the first Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup 2014 is held Sunday at the Enderun Colleges gym in Taguig City.
Aside from Ateneo and CKSC, other teams competing in the preseason event for high school are Far Eastern University, University of the Philippines, Hope Christian High School, University of Perpetual Help College and Diliman Preparatory School.
The tournament, backed by Smart Telecommunications, K-tech Sports, Inc., Powerbest Marketing, CW Home Depot, Powerhouse and Dickies Underwear, will serve as part of the eight teams’ buildup for their respective upcoming leagues.
The 11 a.m. showdown between Chiang Kai Shek College and Ateneo highlights the busy four-game schedule in the opening day. FEU and UP clash in the 9:30 a.m. opener while Hope Christian takes on DPS at 1 p.m. and Adamson clashes with Perpetual at 2:30 p.m.
“We are staging this tournament as our own way of helping Philippine basketball, especially the youth,” said Jumbo Plastic Linoleum vice president for marketing Jefferson dela Cruz. “We hope we can help nurture their talents and prepare them for tougher battles ahead.”
“We share the vision of Jumbo Plastic Linoleum management that’s why we offered our facilities to the organizers,” said Enderun Colleges director for Admission Daniel Perez.
Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, which produces quality floor matting for home and industrial use aside from its famed table cloths and shower curtains, is also one of the main sponsors of the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC). It also maintains a team in the PBA Developmental-League.
Despite the departure of hotshot Thirdy Ravena, the Ateneo Eaglets remain as the team to beat with Jolo Mendoza, Matt and Mike Nieto, all members of the Phl Under-17 team, leading the squad.