CEBU, Philippines — Hoop fans up North will be treated to a highly entertaining hardcourt action as the PBA Legends, composed of former and active pro cagers, will clash with the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras in an exhibition match today at the Danao City Sports and Civic Center.
Game time is set at 9 pm.
Sans Gary ‘El Granada’ David who is still nursing from an injury, the PBA Legends still parade an explosive roster led by John Ferriols, Willie Miller, Lordy Tugade and Sunday Salvacion who all had a taste of championship glory during their stints in the pro league.
The ex-PBA stars will play alongside Paul Desiderio, Brian Heruela and Mac Belo of the Blackwater Elite and collegiate mainstays Jessie Aloro, JC Escalona and John Jabonete of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats.
Before the PBA Legends-SWU-Phinma duel, the San Remigio Properties of team owner Mark Anthony Ynoc and Kiboy’s Computer Solutions (KCS) of Ricky Verdida, two of Cebu’s top commercial ballclubs, will slug it out in the 7:30 p.m. preliminary match.
While KCS’ troops remain a secret, SanRem Properties boasts of a star-studded lineup that includes Randy de la Pisa, Jojo Tangkay, John Abad, Edrian Lao, Neil Rañeses, Emman Calo, Allan Dimco, Joshua de la Cerna, Franz Arong and Ian Ortega.
Tickets are priced at P100 for the upper box, P200 for the lower box and P250 for the VIP section.
The goodwill encounter will usher in the Chauncey Open Basketball League 2019 set to kick off on Tuesday, November 26, at the Mayor Panphil B. Frasco Sports Memorial Complex in Liloan, Cebu.
Aside from the SanRem Properties and KCS, the other contenders in the three-week tournament organized by Tyrone Anthony Bayle, who also serves as the commissioner, are KCS 2.0, Bogo LGU led by Mayro Carlo Martinez, Fighter 50, Sumisetu Philippines, Inc. (SPI), Kyrie Dave, and Aguila ng Lapu-Lapu City of Vince Chan Carungay and Chris Bucana.
They are divided into two groups of four. The top two teams in each bracket after the single round robin elimination will advance to the crossover semifinals. The winners will dispute the title in a winner-take-all affair.
Deputy commissioner Edsel Say Vallena, who is also the head coach of the CIT-U Wildcats, said the champion will take home P100,000 while the second and third placers will pocket P50,000 and 20,000, respectively. EBV