"We are holding this awarding rites as a simple way of letting them know how appreciative we are to their whole-hearted support in all the projects of MLSDF," said MLSDF executive director and multi-titled coach Eddie Ybañez.
"It's been four years since I took the reins of MLSDF and I'm proud and happy to say that we keep on growing and expanding our programs," added Ybañez, who presently calls the shots for the MLSDF-backed Talisay City Aquastars in the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA).
Among the institutions to be honored by MLSDF are the University of San Carlos, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu Institute of Technology/Hoop It Up Basketball Training Camp, Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology, Don Bosco College and Consolacion National High School.
The players who have performed remarkably in the past MLSDF Inter-School developmental basketball tournaments will also be feted with special citations.
They are Kevin Jake Arresgado (three-time MVP) of USC and Earven Dennis Ferraren (three-time Mythical Five member) and Sam Jordan Hermosa (two-time Mythical Five member) of USPF. Ferraren is currently a varsity player of the USC Warriors, while Hermosa now plays for the Philippine Christian University (PCU) Dolphins in the NCAA.
MLSDF, which was founded in 1994 through the initiative of noted businessman-sportsman Michel Lhuillier, is also very active in supporting football, softball, baseball, futsal (indoor football), chess and boxing.