CEBU, Philippines - All roads lead to the Cebu Coliseum this afternoon as the keenly-awaited 13th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) kicks off with another elaborate ceremonies capped by an exciting double-header.
Before the hardcourt hostilities, a grand opening bash will take place highlighted by traditional 'Grand Palabas', which will showcase a colorful and electrifying performances inspired by world-renowned international pop artists.
The University of the Visayas (UV) will perform one of the Madonna's greatest hits, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) will immortalize the timeless classics of the late 'King of Pop" Michael Jackson, while the Cebu Doctors' University (CDU) will present their own version of Psy's "Gangnam Style" phenomenon.
The Southwestern University (SWU) will render a Shakira-themed production number, Rihanna for the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), Christina Aguilera for the University of San Carlos (USC), Jennifer Lopez for the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), Lady Gaga for the University of Cebu (UC), LMFAO for the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U), and Akon for Velez College.
Another spectacle to watch out for is the showdown of talents by the UV and UC cheerdancers, the UV gymnastics team, and the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Wushu and Dragon performers.
The selection of Miss CESAFI 2013 in both the juniors and seniors categories is also something that fans should not miss.
Right after the three-hour program, slambang hardcourt action will commence featuring teams from perennial basketball power UV. The Baby Lancers will slug it out with the USC Baby Warriors in the season-opener, while the Green Lancers will go up against the UC Webmasters in the main event.
The Baby Warriors, now under the behest of decorated Cebuano coach Britt Reroma, are out to prove that their 82-85 win over the Baby Lancers in a tune-up game in Sibonga south of Cebu was no fluke.
The Green Lancers, on the other hand, will start their quest to claim the crown deprived of them for the past three seasons already.
Bannered by two Cameroonian recruits in Steve Cedric Akomo and Mike Harry Nzenssue, the Green Lancers can also rely on the likes of reigning MVP Wowie Escocio, John Abad, Chris Perolino, Vincent Mendoza, Arvie Cabañero, Raffy Oktobre, and Angelo Babia.
The Webmasters, for their part, will count the most from their local mainstays in Noel Villanueva, Jan Michael Auditor, Christian Tamparong and Johnny Sigasig among others.
This season is expected be livelier and more appealing to fans with the presence of cheering squads for every team and the playing of school hymns or the alma mater song of the winning side after each game.
Aside from the centerpiece basketball event, the other sporting events that will contested in Cebu's premiere inter-school athletic league are athletics, swimming, chess, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, taekwondo, karatedo, football, and scrabble.
Weightlifting will be included for the first time but in the next season yet. (FREEMAN)