The Governor’s Cup & CESAFI

We have always lamented in the past how the summer was always quiet in the basketball scene. But 2018 is different as there are two big basketball events that complement each other and have their own unique features and personality. Ending last week was the CESAFI Partner’s Cup and to end this week is the Governor’s Cup. The interesting thing about both tournaments is how they are different yet complementary at the same time and can learn from each other.

The CESAFI Partner’s Cup was its usual self. It’s the pre-season tournament of the CESAFI, and this featured both the college and high school divisions. The University of the Visayas swept both championships and are looking to repeat the feat in the regular season. Games were played at the Cebu Coliseum and the league featured Cebu’s top talents at both the college (Under 25) and high school levels (Under 18). The level of competition was high with UC crowding UV for the college division title and USPF challenging for UV’s throne in the high school division. USPF was the surprise team for both divisions, creating a buzz and sending a strong signal that they will contend for the CESAFI 2018 title. USJ-R will also be there

to contend along with USC and SWU-PHINMA. Attendance at the games weren’t that impressive but this is expected to improve during the regular season. Media coverage was visible with all the local dailies covering the games. Social media presence was through the CESAFI page in Facebook.

The Governor’s Cup is an Under 21 age group tournament for the towns under the Cebu Province with 45 participating teams. (My hometown Liloan decided not to join. I can only wonder why). Games are played on a modified home-and-away format with the province divided into two divisions: North and South. These divisions are sub-divided to lump teams that are geographically closer to each other. The winners of these sub-groups qualified for the division quarterfinals. The winners of the quarters made it to the semifinals and the top two from the semis played for the division championship in a three-game series. San Francisco emerged victorious in the north, nipping Consolacion, 72-71, in nail-biting Game 3 held at the Cebu Coliseum Friday night. Game 1 was played in San Francisco, Camotes while Game 2 was played in Consolacion, with both teams winning big on their homecourts. In the south, Talisay swept Sibonga, 2-0, with Game 1 played in Talisay and Game 2 in Sibonga. The North vs. South Finals will see Talisay hosting Game 1 and San Francisco hosting Game 2. If there is a Game 3, this will be played on neutral ground.

The tournament so far has been impressive even if its level of competition is not up there with the CESAFI. With the financial backing of the Cebu Province, the teams are well-supported and the games are managed smoothly: games, officials, medics, accommodations, transportation and meals. The elimination or early rounds were the most challenging ones as games were played practically simultaneously across the province with the North and South having four sub-groups each. As expected, attendance at games are always high as all venues don’t charge any fees. Moreover, local pride is at the highest levels especially at the division championships where the local town-mates went out to support their home team. San Francisco, Consolacion, Talisay and Sibonga filled up their respective home games making the visiting team feel “unwelcome.” A fiesta atmosphere was the norm with a lot of cheering, yelling, dancing, singing, special production numbers of a local group and a dose of jeering for the visitors. An additional highlight is the airing of games of the semifinals and division championships via Facebook Live on the page Cebu Sports Live. Who needs TV these days with Facebook Live? The local media is also covering the tournament and even provides real-time updates in their respective FB pages. It’s amazing how much can be done when the resources are available. Kudos to the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission under the leadership of its Executive Director Atty. Ramil Abing.

Both the CESAFI and Governor’s Cup may be different but can learn from each other. CESAFI has the quality. The Governor’s Cup owns quantity. The home and away format of the Governor’s Cup brings the crowd in droves, something the CESAFI can consider in the coming season, possibly through games held in different campuses. No entrance fees or tickets are charged; can the CESAFI do something similar other than offering 50% discounts to students? The CESAFI schools will also need to build school pride among its students so that attendance at the games will improve.

Facebook Live is a hot item in this age. CESAFI must also have its own. Complementary: CESAFI caters to the U25 and U18 age groups, the Governor’s Cup: U21. Some players of the Governor’s Cup also play for CESAFI teams. The poster boy for this is Kenny Rogers Rocacurva, the 19-year old phenom of San Francisco who plays for CIT-U. To get to a CESAFI level, I’d like to see the different LGUs implement age group grassroots programs for its towns with the goal of developing homegrown talent. This can start at the Under 12 age group and work its way up. And when they excel, they get the chance to earn athletic scholarships at CESAFI schools.

Here’s praying that the CESAFI and Governor’s Cup last a lifetime and bring out the best of Cebu Basketball.