1st MP Cup Invitational cage tourney kicks off today at USC Gym

The 1st MP Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament sponsored by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao will blast off this afternoon with exciting five games on tap at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Main Gym.

However, before the grand opening ceremony scheduled at 2:30 pm, the first official game will be played at 1 pm pitting the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) of Chester Cokaliong against the RWS Stable manned by former Sacred Heart Alumni Basketball Association (SHABA) stars.

“The rationale for this is that we’ll need to adjust to Manny Pacquiao’s welcome motorcade that Cebu City is arranging for him. We’ll also have to play at least one game so that we can maximize our time at the venue since we have five games to be played,” explained tournament commissioner Rico S. Navarro on holding a game before having the opening ceremonies.

Navarro said all teams must be present at the opening ceremonies with at least 10 players. If a team shows up with less than 10 players, those absent will be suspended for one game each.

After the kick-off bash, the San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) will go up against the Dewfoam-sponsored United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) of Archt. Alan G. Choachuy at 3 pm.

Pacquiao and his Team Pacman will then take their turn on the hardcourt against the Cebu Sports Media Association (CSMA) Hoopsters in the third game at 4:30 pm.

Casino Filipino-Mactan will tackle Barkada-Rama Boys of vice mayor Michael L. Rama at 6 pm, while Cocoroj-Iglesia Ni Cristo will battle the Punta Princesa Sports Association (PPSA) in the final match of the day at 7:30 pm.

A total of 18 teams are seeing action in the two-month tilt that offers a total of P100,000 in cash prizes.

The rest of the entries include the Jaycees Basketball Association (JBA) of Boy Te and Benedict Chua, MS Motosuit-Unity Basketball Club of sports patron Lou Ornopia, Philippine Farmers’ Bank-Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Cebu Dental Society, Club Monday, Metro Cebu Basketball Association of Edward Ligas, House of Hope and Metropolitan Cebu Water District.

The contending squads have been divided into two groups of nine, with the top two teams per bracket advancing into the crossover semifinals. The winners will then clash for the championship in a winner-take-all affair.

The champion will receive P50,000, while the second and third placers will take home P30,000 and P20,000, respectively. —EBV