CESAFI TEAMS FACE OFF IN NAGA
Six Cesafi squads take on each other in an off-season tournament in Naga City
A total of six collegiate teams, all members of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi), are seeing action as the City of Naga hosts its 1st Inter-collegiate basketball tournament at the Enan Chiong Activity Center.
Set to start this Saturday, teams that signified their intention to join the tournament are reigning Cesafi three-peat champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, last year’s runner-up University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USPF) and University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.
A total of P255,000 in cash prizes are at stake in the tournament that is organized by the newly formed City of Naga Basketball League (CNBL) headed by Jonathan Quirante, Councilor Jingjing Chiong and East Poblacion Barangay Captain Scott Chiong.
“This is our inaugural tournament under CNBL. And hopefully, kon successful gyud ni (if this will be successful), we’re planning to hold another one in October as part of our fiesta activities,” Scott Chiong said during the coaches and team representatives meeting Tuesday at the City Sports Club in Cebu Business Park.
The participating teams have been divided into two groups. Bracket A is composed of UV, USPF and UC, while USJ-R, USC and SWU will make up Bracket B. Each bracket will play in a single round-robin format, with the top two teams of each group advancing to the crossover semifinals.
The winners in the semifinal round battle for the championship, while the losers clash for the third place honors.
Coaches and team representatives welcomed the tournament as it will serve as part of their players’ exposure, especially for their new recruits and under trainees.
The champion will pocket some P100,000 in cash aside from the championship trophy, while the first runner-up will get P75,000. The third placer will go home with P50,000. A consolation prize of P10,000 will be given to the three other teams.
UV, Minglanilla Mayor’s Cup champion last December, will face USC in the opening night at 7 p.m., while USPF and UC square off in the main attraction.
There will be a short program right after the first game, wherein the officers and board of directors of the CNBL will be inducted. /