Coke PBA Cebu caging kicks off

CEBU, Philippines -  The 2014 edition of the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament for Cebu kicks off today at the Lux Oriens Gym of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Canduman, Mandaue City.

Team Lancers is back to defend its back-to-back titles, and is seeking a three-peat not only for Cebu but for the Visayas as well. They were runners-up at the national finals for the past two years. Among the teams that are seen as co-favorite is Cebu.

Teams Eagles and Dragons are considered as darkhorses for the crown. Team Lancers faces Team Eagles, while Cebu Elite matches up against Team Dragons in what is expected to be an exciting opener.

The 10-team cast is split into two groups of five teams each. In Group A are Team Lancers, Eagles, Warriors, Ormoc and Team Panthers. In Group B are Cebu Elite, Dragons, One on One, Lio-an and CFGA.

Both groups play in a single round robin classification phase, with the top two qualifying for the crossover semifinals.

The champion will represent Cebu in the Visayas Regional Finals, which will be held in Iloilo on May 10-11 where they will face the champions from Bacolod and Iloilo. The Visayas champion then joins a six-team cast in the national finals in Manila on May 17-25.

The Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament is now on its third year of tapping the grassroots and youth. The tournament is a partnership between the Philippine Basketball Association and Coca Cola. (FREEMAN)