All set for Sinulog basketball
“All systems are go.” This was the declaration made by Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo at the “Meet the Teams” press gathering for the Cebu City Sinulog Cup 2018 - Basketball Invitational which kicks off on January 8 and runs until January 13.
Guardo, the Chairman of the Committee for Youth and Sports was elated to launch what he sees as the resurrection of the local commercial basketball scene. “We’re excited, and as a former basketball team manager myself, we saw that there was a need to do something especially for those looking for basketball activity after and on top of the college scene,” Guardo said.
The five-team tournament welcomes PBA D-League team Marinerong Pilipino under head coach Koy Banal. The Skippers will feature UAAP star Alvin Pasaol of UE, Vince Tolentino of Ateneo and Abu Tratter of La Salle. The team is composed of a mix of former college players, former pros and current collegiate cagers. Eyes will also be on Fil-Am Kyle Toth who once played for California Polytechnic State University. Meanwhile, the local teams proudly declared that they were up to the challenge.
Leading the local front is the University of the Visayas/SG-ARQ Builders team that will parade the core of the back-to-back CESAFI champion team. UV Athletic Director Chris Mejarito revealed that while they still don’t have their import, the core group is intact, led by CESAFI 2015 MVP Rey Suerte, Toto Segumpan, Monic Soliva, Jerome Napao, Sheldon Gahi and Tristan Albina. They’ve also added former UC players Melvin Butohan and Gileant Delator. The University of Cebu/M. Lhuillier team roster is made up of the current CESAFI runner-up team under Coach Yayoy Alcoseba, led by import Frederick Elombi and floor-leader Justin Dacalos. A new face in the team is Jovanie “John Lloyd” Luz who once played for Alcoseba at SWUPHINMA.
University of San JoseRecoletos Coach Edito Salacut revealed a couple of surprises who will back up the core of the current team. Roger Yap, a former Jaguar who once played in the PBA, will provide team leadership while rookie import Kingsley Ewenike who stands 6-10, will make his debut. Ewenike once played for Enderun College in Manila.
CESAFI 2016 MVP Jaybie Mantilla will lead the Jaguar attack with RJ Dinolan, Miguel Gastador and Tricky Peromingan. The Cebu Landmasters/ Bogo City team, represented by Provincial Board member Celestino “Tining” Martinez, proved to be the most daring in forming a team for the tournament. Names presented included Mark Ababon, John Abad, Barkley Eboña of FEU, Zachy Huang of UST, Jojo Tangkay, Ferdinand Lusdoc, Charles Pepito, Ian Ortega, William McAloney and Rene Pacquiao. They are joined by current USC players Froilan Mangubat, Johnreel Saycon, Lucky Ecarma, Malcolm Tan, Kent Cabanog, Arc Gabriel Arawaraw, Leo Victor Rabat, Labiste, Kevin Oleodo and Julius Cadavis.
Games will be played daily from January 8 to 13 with the first game to start at 4:30pm. An opening ceremony will be held at 4:00pm on Monday, followed by the opening game clash between UC/M. Lhuillier and Cebu Landmasters/Bogo. In the main game, Marinerong Pilipino faces off against UV/SG-ARQ Builders. Ticket prices are affordable at P30 for lower box, P20 for upper box and P10 for general admission.