Sun.Star Cebu

UV, USPF start hunt for crown in Bayugan tilt

- RCM

Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) defending champion University of the Visayas Green Lancers and the University of Southern Philippine­s Foundation (USPF) Panthers will start their bids in the Bayugan City Mayor Kim Lope Asis Cup Invitation­al Basketball Tournament 2017 today at the Lope Asis Gym.

The Green Lancers, last year’s runner-up here, will start their campaign for the elusive title as they play Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals at 9 a.m. while the Panthers will play the Xavier University Crusaders of Cagayan de Oro City at 1 p.m.

UV will then play XU in the night cap at 8:30 p.m. following the EAC vs. ARQ Builders-backed University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers of the UAAP at 7pm.

This tournament will serve as tune-up for their school leagues as well as a team-building activity since Bayugan City has everything to offer to suit their needs.

Huge cash prizes are also at stake for all participat­ing teams, who are at least assured of a P50,000 consolatio­n prize of the total P575,000 cash fund.

Although wary of the size and ceiling advantage of the Generals, UV is still upbeat about its chances as it still has the core of last year’s champion squad.

Reigning Cesafi MVP Rey Suerte, Joshue Segumpan, Jerome Napao, Monic Soliva, Jayson Balabag, Sheldon Gahi and Bassieru Sackor are back to try to add the Bayugan City trophy to UV’s collection. /

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