CESAFI cage stars clash today

CEBU, Philippines - The most glittering stars in the 10th the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season will join forces today for the annual East vs. West All-Star Games starting at 1 pm at the Cebu Coliseum.

The East of coach Gilbert Demape is composed of UV, USJ-R, CIT and USPF, while the West of coach Mike Reyes is manned by UC, USC, SWU and DBTC with Mike Reyes.

Traditionally, the 3-point shootout will highlight the event, but the ‘slam dunk’ contest would not be featured this year due to lack of participants to challenge defending champion Elwin Durano of the USPF Panthers.

In the absence of the slam dunk, the H-O-R-S-E trick game will be introduced by the league for the first time.

Eight collegiate and nine secondary teams will flaunt their brightest stars. There are 15 players comprising each team.

The East in the collegiate division will be bannered by Adrian Lao, Harold Cincoflores, Emmanuel Calo, Rene Jun Saycon, Ralf Olivares, Phil Mercader and Jerome Silva of nine-time champion UV Lancers, Kurt Amores, Edwin Bibera, Abulaiz Suliman and Anecito Lapiz, Jr. of the USJ-R Jaguars, Ellison Rivera and Fritz Dajalos of the USPF Panthers and Chester Curso and Arnel Ipang of the CIT-U Wildcats.

The opposing West is powered by Junemar Fajardo, Kelvin Juliane, Brian Quinton Heruela, Robinson Mohammad and Krist Edward Pao of UC, Joven Cid Cortes, Nilton John Otida, Mark Gil Panerio, June Michael Cantonao and Sam Jordan Hermosa of USC, Rene Pacquaio, Arrd Evan Diango and Eleazar Armecin of SWU and Jeffrod Aldave and Hernando Clarito, Jr. of DBTC.

In the high school division, the East of coach Jerry Jaranilla brings six dominant players from giant killers Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons in James Neil Sumayang, Nike Montalvo, Benjamin James Zosa, Roy Villarias, Johnmar Lou Regidor and Mark Anthony Olayon. They will play alongside UV’s Alwin Aguirre, Gerald Legarde, Vincent Mendoza and Michael Smith, USPF’s Joshua Corcilles, Rommel Diapera and Richard Paul Gigante and CIT-U’s Clyvin Lima-liuma and John Anthony Lucena.

The West of sophomore coach Ramel Rasmo will parade four players from the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles in Adrian Roland Muller, Adven Jess Diputado, Bradley Brian Bacaltos and Julius Salvador Cadavis.

Completing the West roster are UC’s Alvin Labolabo, John Raphael Aranas, Adammne Talisic and Jerick Gel Yburan, USJ-R’s inseparable brothers of Renzo and Rendell Senining and Neriel Magdali, USC’s Harvey Palapar, Francis Dave Guardiario and Prince Vaughn Malana and DBTC’s Jose Marlo Pono. (FREEMAN)